February 03, 2020

CIFF Announces Second Year of CIFF West and CIFF East

The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is once again including two additional screening locations in two of Cleveland’s most popular arts districts. With generous support from PNC Bank, Festival programming will expand to CIFF West in the Gordon Square Arts District on the west side and CIFF East in the Cedar Lee District on the east side. The Festival will continue to present more than 600 screenings at its home base at Tower City Cinemas from March 25, through April 5.

“Bringing acclaimed films to the Gordon Square Arts District and the Cedar Lee District will complement economic development in these classic neighborhoods as Festival attendees also visit nearby shops and restaurants,” said Pat Pastore, PNC regional president for Cleveland. “Many people likely will return time and again to explore these areas after the Festival, further contributing to their vitality and continued success.”

CIFF West begins the first weekend of CIFF44 on the evening of Friday, March 27, followed by two full days of programming Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29. Screenings will take place at Near West Theatre and the Capitol Theatre, both in the heart of Gordon Square.

“The Gordon Square Arts District and Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization are proud to collaborate on CIFF West. Gordon Square is fortunate to be home to amazing arts and theater venues, and we love to highlight the art of film, giving visitors the opportunity to experience our neighborhood and providing residents with up-close access to the festival,” said Jenny Spencer, managing director of Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization.

CIFF East takes place the second weekend of the Festival on the evening of Friday, April 3, followed by two full days of programming Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5. Screenings will take place at the beloved Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights.

“FutureHeights is incredibly excited that Cleveland Heights' Cedar Lee District--home to the Cedar Lee Theatre, where it all began--will host the CIFF East this year,” said Deanna Bremer Fisher, executive director of FutureHeights.

CIFF Executive Director Marcie Goodman noted, “We are proud and excited to establish residencies in two premier arts districts. Complementing our presence in Downtown Cleveland with these additional locations will result in a very robust CIFF44.”

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

The 44th Cleveland International Film Festival will be held March 25 – April 5, 2020. More than 600 screenings will take place during the 12 days of the Festival, with over 400 guest filmmakers from around the world who will be visiting our city for the Festival. CIFF44 program details will be available at clevelandfilm.org on Friday, Feb. 28, with Program Guides hitting the streets the week of March 2. Tickets will go on sale to CIFF Members on Friday, March 6 and to the general public on Friday, March 13. For more information, please visit clevelandfilm.org.

The Cleveland International Film Festival is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.