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Arts & Entertainment

Attend the Cleveland International Film Festival

The festival begins this Thursday, March 24 and runs through April 3.

Would you like to get out this weekend and attend one of Cleveland’s major cultural events? Then you're in luck. This will be the 35 year for the Cleveland International Film Festival and the kickoff is this Thursday. 

You can pick up a program guide for the festival at the. The guide gives information about each of the films, lists various activities that are part of the festival and provides information on purchasing tickets and ticket prices. You can also consult the Film Festival website for details, as well.

According to the program guide, the vision of the festival is to be a "leader in helping the world discover the power of film arts to educate, entertain, and celebrate the human experience."

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What struck me when I've attended the film festival in past years is the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself, and bigger than just one film. Many of the films deal with social issues, global health issues and other relevant causes. One that I'd like to see this year is called The Market. This movie is about the international black market for kidneys, and looks at both sides of the issue - the impoverished donors, as well as those in need of a transplant.

This year the festival will feature around 150 feature length films and 130 short films from more than 60 different countries. Most of the films will be shown at the Tower City Cinemas, at 230 Huron Rd. in downtown Cleveland. 

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In addition to the films, there are several programs going on. Here are a few from the program:

  • Film Forums: These are panel discussions that take place immediately after certain films. The panel discussions are moderated by filmmakers, educators and people with an inside perspective on issues addressed in the films.
  • Lights! Camera! Action Steps! This program supplies audience members with materials on how to get involved with the social issue of the movie, once a film ends. 
  • Popcorn for Lunch. These lunch time screenings of “shorts” typically last less than 100 minutes, but individual films can have a running time between one minute and 30 minutes, so the idea is to drop in and see as much of the film as you can on your lunch hour. There will also be popcorn and drink specials and fresh wraps are available nearby for these screenings.

There are other programs, film competitions, an opening night gala, a closing reception and there are a few films playing in off-site locations as well.

The Cleveland International Film Festival runs through April 3, so pick up your program guide and plan your outing to this well known, international event.

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