We are rolling out the red carpet and diving into the world of cinema with Mallory Martin, the Artistic Director of the Cleveland International Film Festival! As one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in the nation, with its current home here at Playhouse Square, CIFF has been captivating audiences since 1977 with a diverse lineup of films from around the globe. In this Q&A, Martin takes us behind the scenes of CIFF, sharing insights into its history, the year-long preparation process, and what makes the festival a must-attend event for film enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned cinephile or newly discovering the magic of independent cinema, CIFF is for everyone!
How did CIFF get started? How has the festival evolved since 1977?
The first Cleveland International Film Festival was founded by Jonathan Forman and presented eight films over eight weeks at the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights. Developed as a subscription series, the first CIFF received substantial media attention and attendance indicated Clevelanders wanted a broader schedule. The next few decades saw a progressive expansion of the Festival to presenting 450 films during a twelve day event at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland, where CIFF called home until 2020 and where the organization grew its attendance to a record 105,839 attendees. The COVID pandemic forced CIFF to move fully online in 2020 and 2021, and the closing of Tower City Cinemas led CIFF to find our new home at Playhouse Square starting in 2022, where we have since presented a hybrid event that is both in-person and online.
Can you walk us through the preparation process for putting on the event?
As soon as one Festival concludes, we’re already planning for the next. Fundraising efforts continue year round, and we open up film submissions in July. The programming process continues through February, at which point the schedule is set and it’s full steam ahead planning nearly 300 events over the course of ten days.
How does CIFF select the films?
The CIFF program is composed of films that either come through submissions (this year we had over 3,500) or curated from other festivals and distributors around the world. We have a Screening Team of nearly 200 volunteers who help review submissions and a programming team of 11 programmers who work to narrow down from thousands of films to the average of 300 we play each year. We are looking for the best and newest films we see throughout the year to bring to Cleveland. From there, we help our audience navigate the hundreds of programmed films by categorizing them into competitions and sidebars, which include cultural sidebars like Black Cinema and Queer Cinema and genres like Comedies and Family Films.
Can you share any success stories or memorable moments from past festivals?
Throughout its history, a myriad of celebrities - actors, producers, screenwriters, and directors - have been guests at CIFF, including Robert Altman, former Clevelander Debra Winger, Alan Alda, Ellyn Burstyn, Clevelander Harvey Pekar, Frederick Wiseman, Frank Capra, Peter Falk, Atom Egoyan, Jim Jarmusch, Ava Duvernay, Mariska Hargitay, and Steve Buscemi.
What premieres are set for this year’s festival?
World Premieres:
If An Owl Calls Your Name
Sound Spring
North American Premieres:
Bury Your Dead
Tarika
The Antique
US Premieres:
A Sisters’ Tale
Gulizar
Honeymoon
My Chest Is Full of Sparks
My Friend An Delie
Silent Storms
What does it mean to be a resident company at Playhouse Square?
Being a resident company at Playhouse Square has given us the opportunity to not only find a new home after leaving our previous home of twenty years, but also to reimagine the Festival in a new footprint. Being able to still essentially be under one roof is a dream come true, and something that should not be taken for granted, as most film festivals are scattered throughout their cities. Watching filmmakers’ reactions to walking into Playhouse Square and realizing they’ll be presenting their films in such a magical place is always incredibly special.
Why should people attend CIFF?
CIFF is a celebration of diverse voices, storytelling, and cultural exchange, offering a unique opportunity to experience films that might not otherwise be accessible. By attending and supporting CIFF, you’re not only enjoying captivating films from around the world but also helping to foster a vibrant artistic community in the city of Cleveland. The Festival provides a platform for emerging filmmakers, showcasing innovative narratives that push boundaries and challenge perspectives. Additionally, CIFF promotes dialogue and connection by bringing together a diverse audience, filmmakers, and industry professionals. Your participation directly contributes to the growth of independent cinema and enriches Cleveland’s cultural landscape. Supporting CIFF is a way to champion creativity, encourage global understanding, and ensure that future generations of filmmakers have the opportunity to share their stories.
What does the future look like for CIFF?
As we approach the 50th Anniversary of CIFF, we are looking at ways to sustain both the organization and event in a time that is challenging for film exhibition worldwide. Our emphasis is on getting people to the in-person festival, because film festivals are meant to create community and a shared love of film together. Our goal is to expand into more year-round programming, giving our members and audience a chance to experience independent cinema outside of the ten days of the main festival.
The 49th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF49) will take place in person at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH, from March 27 - April 5 followed by CIFF49 Streams (online) from April 6-13, 2025. For tickets visit clevelandfilm.org