The Cleveland International Film Festival, a sure sign of spring in Northeast Ohio, is almost back for its 48th year, announcing its full roster at clevelandfilm.org.
There will be plenty of movies to pick from: This year, the fest features 137 feature films, plus 225 short films shown in blocks. The selections span 60 countries, according to a news release.
The fest features several world premieres, including a documentary about infant mortality American Delivery, filmed in Ohio; Ukrainian athlete documentary Athletes of War; a documentary focused on Akron athlete Butch Reynolds titled False Positive; an anime and live-action film Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure; and the absurdist comedy Sofa, So Good.
Plus, there are several retro showings, including 2013’s CIFF sci-fi hit Coherence, 2013’s Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine, and 2010’s Eclipse, the third film in the Twilight movie saga, shown on the same day as the total solar eclipse on April 8.
The festival previously announced its opening night (Thelma), closing night (DEVO) and Groundbreaker Award-winning film (Unseen).
CIFF will take place at an in-person festival at Playhouse Square April 3-13, and if you miss it, you’ll have the chance to view movies online through the virtual festival CIFFStreams48, April 14-21. According to a news release, CIFFStreams48 will show more than half of the in-person festival’s features and nearly all of their in-person short films.
Tickets go on sale to CIFF members at 11 a.m. on March 15, with the general sale opening at 11 a.m. on March 22 . Tickets can be bought in-person at the Film Festival Box Office located in the Keybank State Theatre starting April 1, too.
Film screening tickets cost $18 ($16 for members) and streaming tickets cost $14 ($12 for members).
This year, CIFF brings back its free printed film guides, which will be available for pickup at various drop points in Northeast Ohio. You can also find the film listings online at clevelandfilm.org.
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