March 03, 2017

Cleveland Foundation Announces $115,000 Grant to the Cleveland International Film Festival

Foundation to sponsor CIFF’s Global Health Competition, FilmSlam and Perspectives Virtual Reality Exhibition

The Cleveland Foundation board of directors today announced a grant of $115,000 to support the 41st Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), scheduled March 29 – April 9, 2017. Since 1981, the foundation has contributed nearly $2.3 million for this iconic cultural event in Cleveland.

“The entire community, as well as film lovers from all over the country, looks forward to this annual cinematic experience that is uniquely Cleveland,” said Ronn Richard, President and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation. “For more than four decades, CIFF has helped to establish Cleveland as a cultural destination, attracting people to downtown Cleveland, connecting national and international filmmakers with the community, and elevating artists and local nonprofit organizations. We can’t wait to experience this year’s festival.”

The foundation will serve as the sponsor of CIFF’s Global Health Competition, which includes films that delve into human health (both mental and physical) as well as environmental health. The competition introduces audience members to an array of health-related issues and explores the true definition of health as it relates to individuals and the planet. Based on audience vote, the winner of this competition will be announced by the Cleveland Foundation at the Closing Night Reception and receive a $7,500 cash prize.

“The CIFF is deeply honored by the Cleveland Foundation’s funding of our efforts. Although our programming is global, everything we do is for — and because of — our amazing community. Generous support from the Cleveland Foundation provides us with the footing we need to do our best possible work.” – Marcie Goodman, CIFF Executive Director

The foundation’s grant also supports the FilmSlam Program. Now entering its 25th year, FilmSlam is CIFF’s media literacy program and mini-festival of films for students. FilmSlam aims to educate students about evaluating and critiquing the messages they perceive while viewing films. More than 8,500 Northeast Ohio students have the opportunity to see new films by some of the world’s most innovative filmmakers.

Also included in the foundation’s grant to CIFF is the expansion of the Perspectives Virtual Reality Exhibition. The exhibition, which debuted at last year’s festival, is an immersive storytelling experience. Located in Tower City Center Level M2 (near the top of the Grand Staircase), Perspectives is free and open to the public, ages 13+. Curated interactive media and virtual reality will be available for viewing on a first come, first served basis.

This year, the foundation’s Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards will also build on its history of support for the film festival, serving as community partner for the March 30th and April 1st screenings of “The Revival: Women and the Word,” a documentary on the travels of seven musicians and poets building community among queer women of color. This will be the fourth year that the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, which recognize books that contribute to our understanding of racism and human diversity, has sponsored a documentary at the film festival. Previous sponsorships include “Good Luck Soup” in 2016, “By Blood” in 2015, and “Alice Walker” in 2014.

As part of its centennial celebration in 2014, the foundation provided a free day at the Cleveland International Film Festival. The event drew the biggest Monday audience in the Festival’s history with nearly 8,000 attendees.

About the Cleveland International Film Festival
The 41st Cleveland International Film Festival, presented by Dollar Bank, will take place March 29th – April 9th at Tower City Cinemas and select neighborhood screening locations. Full program information on the 202 feature films and 216 short films screening at CIFF41 can be found at clevelandfilm.org. Program Guides will be available at all Dollar Bank branches, and throughout the area, the week of March 6th. Tickets will go on sale to CIFF members on Friday, March 10th and to the general public on Friday, March 17th.