December 11, 2018
CIFF Partnering with Tribeca Film Institute® in American Midwest Film Pitch
The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is thrilled to announce a collaboration with Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) on its IF/Then Shorts program, which invites filmmakers living and/or working in the American Midwest to apply for a new pitch opportunity scheduled to take place at the CIFF43 in spring 2019.
The program calls for original stand-alone pitches of short documentaries (running 10-20 minutes) about the American Midwest that explore a range of socially, politically and culturally relevant topics. The 12 eligible states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
TFI and CIFF will jointly select up to six finalists who will be invited to pitch their projects to a panel of industry judges on Sunday, April 7,2019during the closing weekend of CIFF43. The winner will be announced that evening during the CIFF43 Closing Night Ceremony.
The winning project will receive up to $25,000 in production support, allowing the filmmakers to complete their short documentary. In addition, they will have the opportunity to participate in Tribeca Film Institute’s IF/Then Shorts program, which provides one year of distribution mentorship. The program is developed with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
“TFI believes that short form is one of the most powerful tools to cultivate empathy and connect with audiences across regions and ideologies,” said Amy Hobby, Executive Director of TFI. “We’re excited for this opportunity to work closely with CIFF to support filmmakers telling stories of the American Midwest.”
Marcie Goodman, CIFF Executive Director, said, “The IF/Then Shorts program is an amazing opportunity for filmmakers. And the CIFF is honored to be collaborating with TFI.”
Applications are due Monday, January 21, 2019. Finalists will be notified in late February 2019.
For full IF/Then Shorts American Midwest application information, please visit www.clevelandfilm.org/if-then.
TRIBECA FILM INSTITUTE
Tribeca Film Institute partners with storytellers and joins them in breaking barriers of access, exposure, and sustainability in the media landscape. Each year, we identify a diverse group of exceptional filmmakers and media artists then empower them with funding and resources to fully realize their stories and connect with audiences. Our education programs empower students through hands-on training and exposure to socially relevant films, offering young people the media skills necessary to be creative and productive global citizens. We are a year-round nonprofit arts organization founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of September 11, 2001.
43rd CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CIFF43 will take place March 27 - April 7,2019 at Tower City Cinemas. Thisacademy-qualifying Festival is expected to include approximately 200 feature films and more than 220 short films, representing close to 70 countries. Over 300 guest filmmakers from around the world will be in attendance and eligible for over $125,000 in cash prizes. For information on the CIFF, please visit www.clevelandfilm.org.
Debby Samples, Marketing & Media Director
2510 Market Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113-3434
Email: debby@clevelandfilm.org
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