The Cleveland International Film Festival promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community.
CIFF45 Call for Entries opens June 1, 2020! Please check back for details.
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Give TodayThe Cleveland International Film Festival promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community.
Free Screening!
This screening is part of The Taste of the Festival.
Click for more information.
Film Forums
FilmForums are moderated and interactive panel discussions that feature filmmakers, community leaders, and scholars who are knowledgeable about the topic at hand.
Film forums begin after the film ends, and are 45 minutes long.
What is Stand by?
Only a portion of available seats are sold in advance in order to save room for passholders. Once these advanced tickets have sold, a film is considered on Stand By. However, even for crowded films, we can often accommodate additional patrons just before showtime.
Special Location
Akron-Summit County Public Library
60 S. High St
Akron, OH 44326
330.643.9000
Special Location
Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
15711 Waterloo Rd
Cleveland, OH 44110
216.383.1124
Special Location
Hanna Theatre
2067 East 14th St
Cleveland, OH 44115
216.241.6000
Special Location
Cinemark Valley View
6001 Canal Rd
Valley View, OH 44125
216.447.8820
Special Location
Chagrin Cinemas
8200 East Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Special Location
The Nightlight
30 North High Street
Akron, OH 44308
Special Location
Cleveland State University, MU 107
2001 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Special Location
Connor Palace
1615 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Special Location
Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque
11610 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
Special Location
Ritz-Carlton Cleveland
1515 West 3rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Special Location
CIFF Chat Room
Second Floor, Skylight Councourse
,
Special Location
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
1100 E 9th St
Cleveland, OH 44114
216.781-7625
Special Location
Shaker Square Cinemas
13116 Shaker Square
Cleveland, OH 44120
216.921.9342
Special Location
Plaza Cinemas
140 Cherry Street
Kent, OH 44240
330.968.6335
Special Location
Akron Art Museum
1 S High St
Akron, OH 44308
330.376.9185
Special Location
Apollo Theatre
19 East College St
Oberlin, OH 44074
440.774.3920
Special Location
Cleveland Museum of Art - Gartner Auditorium
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.421.7350
Special Location
Cleveland Museum of Art - Lecture Hall
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.421.7350
Special Location
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.231.4600
Special Location
Keybank State Theatre
1519 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Special Location
Cedar Lee Theatre 2
2163 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
216.321.5411
Special Location
Cedar Lee Theatre 1
2163 Lee Rd
Cleveland Hts, OH 44118
216.321.5411
Special Location
Capitol Theatre
1390 W 65th St
Cleveland, OH 44102
216.651.7295
Special Location
Near West Theatre
6702 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102
216.961.6391
February 27, 2021 sponsored by
March 05, 2021 sponsored by
Get Shorty Live
Get Shorty Weekend
Sweden
Directed By: Naures Sager
Running Time: 7 Minutes
A surprising turn of events take place when Ayman's date is crashed by his friends. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
France
Directed By: 10th grade students of La Guerche-de-Bretagne's high school
Running Time: 8 Minutes
Adventures at Home: Imagination is Everything
USA
Directed By: Travis Lupher
Running Time: 4 Minutes
Being stuck at home can be tough... but it doesn't have to be boring. When you use your imagination you can go anywhere and do anything. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
USA
Directed By: Jen Rainin
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Switzerland
Directed By: Maria Brendle
Running Time: 38 Minutes
US
Directed By: James Redford
Running Time: 103 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Rayka Zehtabchi, Sam Davis
Running Time: 15 Minutes
SLOVAKIA
Directed By: Peter Bebjak
Running Time: 94 Minutes
USA
Directed By: TJ Marchbank
Running Time: 11 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Kevin Maxwell
Running Time: 9 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Andrew Gorell
Running Time: 7 Minutes
GERMANY
Directed By: Burhan Qurbani
Running Time: 180 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Michael Parks Randa, Lauren Smitelli
Running Time: 80 Minutes
South Korea, USA
Directed By: Jinuk Choi
Running Time: 4 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Yael Bridge
Running Time: 82 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Victor Gabriel
Running Time: 5 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Nick Cavalier
Running Time: 21 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Carl Kriss
Running Time: 82 Minutes
In November 2018, General Motors announced plant closures in Ohio, Michigan, and Maryland. The proposed restructuring to become more competitive would result in thousands of layoffs. While GM ran a PR campaign to justify its decisions, GM employees and their... {more}
USA
Directed By: Margaret Munzer Loeb, Eden Wurmfeld
Running Time: 80 Minutes
Kosovo
Directed By: Ilir Blakcori
Running Time: 10 Minutes
Netherlands
Directed By: Ivo van Aart
Running Time: 86 Minutes
NEW ZEALAND
Directed By: James Ashcroft
Running Time: 97 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Ben Proudfoot, Kris Bowers
Running Time: 14 Minutes
A virtuoso jazz pianist and film composer tracks his family's lineage through his 91-year-old grandfather from Jim Crow Florida to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. (English CC available) {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
USA
Directed By: Ilinca Calugareanu
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Netherlands
Directed By: Jörgen Scholtens
Running Time: 7 Minutes
When a lonely man finds his important job conflicting with his big opportunity things go a little, well, cuckoo! {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
Daisy Quokka: World's Scariest Animal
AUSTRALIA
Directed By: Ricard Cussó
Running Time: 89 Minutes
Canada
Directed By: Alexis Chartrand
Running Time: 17 Minutes
Austria
Directed By: Martin Winter
Running Time: 35 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Sarah Klein , Tom Mason
Running Time: 13 Minutes
Cyprus, Turkey, Syria
Directed By: Doğuş Özokutan
Running Time: 12 Minutes
France, Morocco
Directed By: Saïd Hamich Benlarbi
Running Time: 25 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Susan Béjar
Running Time: 13 Minutes
A typical scene of isolation on a subway car is interrupted by a woman who demonstrates that maybe, deep down, we are all just a little insane. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
ARGENTINA
Directed By: Ana Katz
Running Time: 73 Minutes
Dormo Poco E Sogno Molto - Espana Circo Este
Italy
Directed By: Paolo Santamaria
Running Time: 4 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Ursula Liang
Running Time: 83 Minutes
Denmark
Directed By: Kim Hagen Jensen, Tonni Zinck (co-director)
Running Time: 81 Minutes
USA
Directed By: David Moreton
Running Time: 99 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Mike Berry
Running Time: 19 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Christopher Sánchez, Mario Cervantes
Running Time: 8 Minutes
End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock
USA, FINLAND
Directed By: Shannon Kring
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Jorge Muriel
Running Time: 20 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Miriam Kruishoop
Running Time: 23 Minutes
United Kingdom
Directed By: Joe Bor
Running Time: 3 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Doug Roland
Running Time: 19 Minutes
INDIA
Directed By: Ajitpal Singh
Running Time: 87 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Manuel Crosby, Darren Knapp
Running Time: 103 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Heather Ross
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Forbidden to See Us Scream in Tehran
IRAN/USA
Directed By: Farbod Ardebili
Running Time: 17 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Mu Sun
Running Time: 97 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Helen Alexis Yonov
Running Time: 23 Minutes
Running Time: 120 Minutes
While things may look a bit different this year, one thing remains the same – it is time to GET SHORTY! Sponsored by Huntington Bank, this one-of-a-kind audience favorite event lets you have a say in which shorts will screen... {more}
Italy
Directed By: Claudia Di Lascia, Michele Bizzi
Running Time: 6 Minutes
ESTONIA
Directed By: Lauri Randla
Running Time: 86 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Stephanie Erb, Deb Hiett
Running Time: 3 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Emanuele Daga
Running Time: 8 Minutes
Australia
Directed By: Genevieve Clay-Smith, Rawley Reynolds
Running Time: 16 Minutes
United States
Directed By: J.J. McDowell
Running Time: 7 Minutes
France
Directed By: Merryl Roche
Running Time: 24 Minutes
USA, China
Directed By: Yuan Yuan
Running Time: 13 Minutes
ISRAEL, ITALY
Directed By: Nir Bergman
Running Time: 92 Minutes
United States of America
Directed By: Justice Jamal Jones
Running Time: 13 Minutes
GERMANY, ITALY, DENMARK
Directed By: Ronny Trocker
Running Time: 102 Minutes
United States of America
Directed By: Jim Jenkins
Running Time: 14 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Hanna Adams, Cole Bacani, Max Edmeier, Dariel Filomeno, Alexandra Gottlieb, Namquyen "Q" Le, Yolanda Morgan, Victoria Perez, Benjamin Ragasa, Josie Stocks, John Stover, Jinghan Tian
Running Time: 4 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Eli Manos
Running Time: 10 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Jud Nichols
Running Time: 30 Minutes
Mexico/USA
Directed By: Sofia Garza-Barba
Running Time: 14 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Nicholas Mihm
Running Time: 105 Minutes
DENMARK
Directed By: Anders Refn
Running Time: 153 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Javier Fesser, Guillermo Fesser
Running Time: 29 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Gregory Garay
Running Time: 7 Minutes
Serbia/Canada
Directed By: Vojin Vasovic
Running Time: 7 Minutes
Uruguay
Directed By: Maximiliano Contenti
Running Time: 88 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Sami Khan, Michael Gassert
Running Time: 84 Minutes
United Statees
Directed By: Michael Shumway
Running Time: 16 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Elvira Lind
Running Time: 32 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Jeremy Workman
Running Time: 90 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Matteo Servente, Molly J. Wexler
Running Time: 16 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Brian Lawes
Running Time: 16 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Rudy Valdez
Running Time: 23 Minutes
USA
Directed By: T Cooper, Allison Glock-Cooper
Running Time: 10 Minutes
The Man Who Never Saw the Rain
Spain
Directed By: Miguel Muñoz
Running Time: 2 Minutes
The Marvelous Misadventures of the Stone Lady
Portugal, France
Directed By: Gabriel Abrantes
Running Time: 20 Minutes
Germany
Directed By: Arkadij Khaet, Mickey Paatzsch
Running Time: 31 Minutes
CANADA
Directed By: Liz Marshall
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Medicine Man: The Stan Brock Story
UNITED KINGDOM
Directed By: Paul Michael Angell
Running Time: 96 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Néstor Ruiz Medina
Running Time: 29 Minutes
UNITED KINGDOM, BELGIUM
Directed By: Sam Hobkinson
Running Time: 90 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Lisa Molomot, Jeff Bemiss
Running Time: 81 Minutes
United Kingdom
Directed By: Alistair Petrie
Running Time: 15 Minutes
United Kingdom
Directed By: Bassam Tariq
Running Time: 90 Minutes
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World
Sweden
Directed By: Kristina Lindström, Kristian Petri
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Mrs. Taylor's Show and Tell - A Prince Story
United States
Directed By: Victor Dean
Running Time: 6 Minutes
My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To
USA
Directed By: Jonathan Cuartas
Running Time: 90 Minutes
France
Directed By: Nathaniel H'Limi, Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat
Running Time: 29 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Megan Rossman
Running Time: 7 Minutes
France
Directed By: Thomas Boileau, François Briantais, Robin Courtoise, Alan Guimont, Malcolm Hunt, Mathieu Lecroq
Running Time: 6 Minutes
A one-eyed pirate captain keeps recruiting new crews of one-eyed pirates in his relentless journey to finally bring home the treasure. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
USA
Directed By: Oren Jacoby
Running Time: 85 Minutes
The shimmering lights of Broadway have long symbolized success in show business. Each year, top tier Broadway shows attract millions of people from all over the world. But the history of Broadway isn’t all glitz and glamour. In fact, Times... {more}
United States
Directed By: Jen McGowan
Running Time: 14 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Nacho GarvÃa, Jorge Moratal
Running Time: 3 Minutes
Switzerland
Directed By: Micha Lewinsky
Running Time: 98 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Travis Pollert, Jacob Kostelli
Running Time: 59 Minutes
United States of America
Directed By: Antonio Harper, Abby Burton
Running Time: 10 Minutes
Cyprus
Directed By: Michalis Kalopaidis
Running Time: 6 Minutes
US
Directed By: Tania Taiwo
Running Time: 5 Minutes
USA
Directed By: The Bragg Brothers
Running Time: 12 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Julia Max
Running Time: 15 Minutes
Brazil
Directed By: Iuli Gerbase
Running Time: 103 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Karla Murthy
Running Time: 70 Minutes
Russia
Directed By: Eteri Nioradze
Running Time: 11 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul
Running Time: 17 Minutes
Preparations to Be Together For an Unknown Period of Time
Hungary
Directed By: Lili Horvát
Running Time: 95 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Amina Sutton, Maya Tanaka
Running Time: 7 Minutes
USA
Directed By: C. Hubert Calhoun III
Running Time: 21 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Pedro Kos
Running Time: 103 Minutes
USA
Directed By: T.C. Johnstone
Running Time: 34 Minutes
Israel
Directed By: Shirel Paz
Running Time: 16 Minutes
Roy is suffering from a social phobia that makes it difficult for him to engage with people and especially with girls. One day he meets a mannequin in a shop window who changes his life. {more}
Spain, United Kingdom
Directed By: Alba Sotorra Clua
Running Time: 90 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Bill Wisneski
Running Time: 25 Minutes
France
Directed By: Loïc Gaillard
Running Time: 20 Minutes
Say HIs Name: Five Days for George Floyd
USA
Directed By: Cy Dodson
Running Time: 20 Minutes
United Kingdom
Directed By: James Morgan
Running Time: 17 Minutes
Hungary
Directed By: Gábor Holtai
Running Time: 18 Minutes
China
Directed By: Qiying Lin
Running Time: 12 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Lance Edmands
Running Time: 18 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Alex Liu
Running Time: 81 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Silvia Conesa
Running Time: 11 Minutes
SHOT DOWN: Howard Snyder and the B-17 Susan Ruth
USA
Directed By: Michael Mazur
Running Time: 13 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Charles Moore
Running Time: 16 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Van Maximilian Carlsn
Running Time: 17 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Justin Fair
Running Time: 15 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Daniel Hymanson
Running Time: 71 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Jeremy Dubin, Ryan Lewis
Running Time: 2 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Carlos Lopez Estrada
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Iran
Directed By: Majid Majidi
Running Time: 99 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Anthony Sneed
Running Time: 6 Minutes
A delinquent teenage boy learns a valuable lesson about growing up. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
United Kingdom
Directed By: Ben S. Hyland
Running Time: 9 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Samantha Knowles
Running Time: 20 Minutes
Iran
Directed By: Mohammad Rasoulof
Running Time: 150 Minutes
USA/Denmark
Directed By: Dylan Bruno
Running Time: 8 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Kelly Riot
Running Time: 24 Minutes
United States of America
Directed By: Asha Flowers
Running Time: 6 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Nelson G. Navarrete,Maxx Caicedo
Running Time: 111 Minutes
Norway, Sweden
Directed By: Yaprak Morali, Are Austnes
Running Time: 9 Minutes
UK
Directed By: Philip Sansom, Inigo Gilmore
Running Time: 82 Minutes
TBD
Directed By: Rana Kazkaz, Anas Khalaf
Running Time: 105 Minutes
Truth to Power: Barbara Lee Speaks for Me
USA
Directed By: Abby Ginzberg
Running Time: 82 Minutes
Canada
Directed By: Brian McWha
Running Time: 9 Minutes
Thomas wakes up to discover his end is near and must come to terms with the life he has and hasn't lived. (English CC available) {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
USA
Directed By: Dana White (she, her), Christopher Knoblock (he, him)
Running Time: 14 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Ashley O'Shay
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Japan
Directed By: Miwa Nishikawa
Running Time: 126 Minutes
India, USA
Directed By: Urvashi Pathania
Running Time: 17 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Dagmawi Abebe, Victor Alonso-Berbel, Roy Arwas, Hannah Bang, Christopher Beaton, Agazi Desta, Tiffany Kontoyiannis Guillen, Zoe Salnave, Ernesto Sandoval, Sabina Vajraca
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Spain
Directed By: Ibon Hernando
Running Time: 10 Minutes
We Are Free Because of Harriet Tubman
USA
Directed By: Nadine M. Patterson
Running Time: 5 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Miranda Winters, Rocky Romano
Running Time: 9 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Dia Sokol Savage
Running Time: 21 Minutes
Sarah Jackson, with the help of a team of volunteers, finds legally released, ICE facility detainees, on the unfriendly streets of Denver, Colorado, and invites them into her home providing them with shelter and clothing while helping them reunite with... {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
TURKEY
Directed By: Nisan Dag
Running Time: 97 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Emily Schuman
Running Time: 15 Minutes
United States
Directed By: Maddie Stambler
Running Time: 16 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Yibing Jiang
Running Time: 9 Minutes
A father plays a windup music box for his unconscious daughter hoping music will keep them connected and help her find her way back. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
Azerbaijan
Directed By: Tahmina Rafaella
Running Time: 13 Minutes
A young, modern mother in Azerbaijan demonstrates the skills needed to tackle the challenges of being a mother, daughter, and wife, while still being herself. {more}
This film is part of the following shorts programs:
Yes I Am - The Ric Weiland Story
USA
Directed By: Aaron Bear
Running Time: 62 Minutes
You And The Thing That You Love
US
Directed By: Nicholas Maher
Running Time: 12 Minutes
United States of America
Directed By: Caroline Lindy
Running Time: 16 Minutes
USA
Directed By: Christi Cooper
Running Time: 110 Minutes
United Kingdom
Directed By: Sean Mullen
Running Time: 26 Minutes
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