Cleveland International Film Festival

Cleveland International Film Festival April 9-April 18, 2026 at Playhouse Square
(1799)

The Cleveland International Film Festival promotes artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community. In other words, we present the newest and best films from around the world, and we do everything in our power to make sure that our audience learns something along the way - about other cultures, about the topic at hand, about the experience from the filmmakers themselves.

In loving memory of Bill DeCapite. 🕊️For nearly as long as there has been a Cleveland International Film Festival, Bill ...
09/03/2026

In loving memory of Bill DeCapite. 🕊️

For nearly as long as there has been a Cleveland International Film Festival, Bill was part of its story. His passion for film and steadfast support helped shape the Festival community.

Thank you, Bill. CIFF is better because you were part of it.
Your legacy will forever remain part of our Festival’s history.

CIFF is proud to support our friends at Building Heights Inc. as a sponsor of the 6th Annual Building Heights Benefit on...
09/03/2026

CIFF is proud to support our friends at Building Heights Inc. as a sponsor of the 6th Annual Building Heights Benefit on Friday, October 16.

Heights helps middle and high school students discover their voices through film education, mentorship, and storytelling. A member of the CIFF team will be there to share remarks, and we hope our community will come out in support of the next generation of filmmakers.

🎟️ Early Bird tickets are available through September 16: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-6th-annual-building-heights-benefit

08/14/2026

Back in June, we celebrated 25 years of WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER with a special screening at Camp Cheerful, followed by a Q&A with the film’s writer/director David Wain, moderated by Doug Duke.

Now, the cult classic is heading back to the big screen! 🎬 WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER returns to select theaters nationwide starting TODAY, August 14. You can also catch it from home, streaming on Netflix and other platforms.

Relive some of the fun from our June celebration, then revisit Camp Firewood on the big screen—or from your couch. 🏕️🔥

Two nights. Two locations. One lineup and YOU help choose a film for CIFF51!Join us for our August Shorts Club event, CI...
08/11/2026

Two nights. Two locations. One lineup and YOU help choose a film for CIFF51!

Join us for our August Shorts Club event, CIFF50 Best of the Rest, featuring six short films that just missed the cut for CIFF50. Our Short Films Programming Team has selected six standouts they couldn’t wait to share, and now it’s your turn to weigh in.

After the screening, you’ll vote for your favorite film and help select the very first short to join the CIFF51 lineup!

📍 Night 1: Cedar Lee Theatre
📅 August 20 | 7:00–9:00 PM

📍 Night 2: CSU Screening Room
📅 August 21 | 7:00–9:00 PM

🎟️ $20 per screening

Both nights feature the same lineup of six short films, so choose the location and date that work best for you. Get tickets on our website! https://www.clevelandfilm.org/programs/events/

"Our Deep Focus masterclass series continues! Next up: Indie Filmmaking from Inception to DistributionYou finished your ...
07/31/2026

"Our Deep Focus masterclass series continues!

Next up: Indie Filmmaking from Inception to Distribution

You finished your feature. Now what? Learn how to get your film in front of distributors and streamers — taught by actor/writer/director Addison Henderson, whose credits include collaborating with Chadwick Boseman on Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame, and directing the award-winning documentary The Forgotten City.

📅 August 27
📍 Virtual
🎟️ Register on the CIFF website

https://www.clevelandfilm.org/programs/events/indie-filmmaking-from-inception-to-distribution/

"

Today's the day! 🎥Join us THIS AFTERNOON for Deep Focus: Bite-Sized Storytelling: Writing the Microdrama with author/sho...
07/23/2026

Today's the day! 🎥

Join us THIS AFTERNOON for Deep Focus: Bite-Sized Storytelling: Writing the Microdrama with author/showrunner Claire Epstein.

📅 Today, July 23
📍 Virtual
💵 $25

Learn how to write short-form vertical series and the business models driving the microdrama boom.
Still time to grab a spot — link in bio! See you there 👋

Save your spot-https://www.clevelandfilm.org/programs/events/26455/

Next week! ⏰Deep Focus: Bite-Sized Storytelling: Writing the Microdrama is happening July 23. Don't miss your chance to ...
07/17/2026

Next week! ⏰
Deep Focus: Bite-Sized Storytelling: Writing the Microdrama is happening July 23. Don't miss your chance to learn vertical storytelling and microdrama business models from author/showrunner Claire Epstein.

📅 July 23
📍 Virtual
💵 $25

Whether you're a screenwriter, filmmaker, or just curious about the format taking over your feed, this session is for you.
Grab your ticket before spots fill up!

https://www.clevelandfilm.org/programs/events/26455/

Some of the best CIFF50 moments happened after the credits rolled, filmmakers spilling secrets, audiences asking the que...
07/13/2026

Some of the best CIFF50 moments happened after the credits rolled, filmmakers spilling secrets, audiences asking the questions we were all thinking, and honest panels.

Address

Cleveland, OH
44113

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 10pm
Tuesday 9am - 10pm
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 10pm
Friday 9am - 12am
Saturday 11am - 12am
Sunday 12pm - 10am

Telephone

+12166233456

Website

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