Beginning March 18 through March 28, Tower City Center in Cleveland will host the 34th annual Cleveland International Film Festival, presenting over 290 films originating from 60 different countries.
Among the long list of films, readers of the CIFF guide will recognize some well-known Hollywood stars, such as Lisa Kudrow, Jeff Daniels, Zooey Deschanel and Steve Buscemi.
John Carroll junior Chrisden Abrams, an ambassador for the Festival, said the Cleveland International Film Festival also features a film starring Ed O’Neill (Al Bundy of “Married with Children”) in a documentary on the history of Youngstown, Ohio.
According to Abrams, the Festival promotes the true power and value of film while bringing others together.
“It brings together people who enjoy the art of film and attendees get involved and enjoy experiencing such an educational and entertaining festival,” she said.
In addition to the main world tour program, the CIFF offers sidebars, which are categories that add interest and diversity to the Festival and help moviegoers navigate their way around.
Those who are present will be 10% Cinema (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films), It’s Easy Being Green (films dealing with bringing awareness to the environmental movement to save Earth), Film is Art (to learn about artists and the artistic process), Family Films, Jewish and Israeli Visions, and a “Local Heroes” section, which spotlights works by local filmmakers.
Katharyne Starinsky, the local marketing and media manager for the Festival said that every year films are placed within sidebar categories to help attendees avoid an information overload.
“This year’s sidebar collection is bigger than ever before featuring several new categories, including Illuminating Hope, a new sidebar encompassing stories that celebrate the human experience as an inspiration for hope,” said Starinsky.
Among students attending the film festival, sophomore Sara Jane Kukawka finds an interest in sidebars such as It’s Easy Being Green.
“I think movies on the environment communicate with the public about sustainability,” she said. “With a plot line and emotional attachment to whatever characters it is a venue where afterwards people are much more motivated to advocate.”
In addition to the many diverse sidebars, students who have found an interest with the LGBTQ movement on campus can find films relevant to the topic.
“I also want to see some of the LGBTQ- focused films,” said Kukawka. “Everything on campus has made me more aware of that section of our population and I’m curious to learn more about the topic.”
Films will run from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with the option of attending midnight movies on both Friday and Saturday evenings.
Also, the Festival is offering an option for attendees to come for popcorn at lunch time.
“Tower City Cinemas will offer a $4.50 small popcorn and small drink special at the concession stand between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. each day, and fresh wraps will be featured at Jules Café, located in the Film Festival store inside the lobby,” said Starinsky.
“You can take a longer lunch break and enjoy the whole program!”
The Festival, which also offers various film awards, was named in 2009 as a qualifying festival in the category of Short Films by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“This means that winners of our Best Live Action Short Film and Best Animated Short Film awards may qualify to enter the Short Films category of the Academy Awards,” said Starinsky.
“This week, you have an opportunity to view a variety of Shorts Programs and on Sunday, March 28, you can attend the Independent Short Audience Awards and Jury Awards programs.”
Tickets are priced from $10-$12, and can be purchased on-site at the Film Festival store in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas or by calling 1-877-304-3456.
