February 20, 2020

CIFF44 to Open With MILITARY WIVES and Close With DREAM HORSE

The 44th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF44) is kicking-off its 12-day run with a story about the power that lies in unexpected friendships and closing with an underdog story that will have you cheering. CIFF44 will be held March 25 – April 5, 2020 at Tower City Cinemas, as well as the Gordon Square Arts District and the Cedar Lee District.

OPENING NIGHT AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

On Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM, CIFF44 will open with MILITARY WIVES. The film centers on a group of women from different backgrounds whose partners are away serving in Afghanistan. Faced with their loved ones’ absences, they come together to form the very first military wives choir, helping each other through some of life’s most difficult moments, and quickly find themselves on an international stage. Peter Cattaneo (THE FULL MONTY) directs Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan in this feel-good crowd-pleaser inspired by true events.

Tickets to Opening Night at Playhouse Square are $225 per person ($200 for CIFF members). The evening includes the 7:00 PM screening of the film, followed by a reception – both of which will take place in the KeyBank State Theatre.

To make reservations at The Crowne Plaza, CIFF44’s Official Opening Night Hotel, please visit crowneplaza.com.

CLOSING NIGHT AT TOWER CITY CENTER

On Sunday, April 5 at 7:00 PM, the Festival will close with DREAM HORSE. The film tells the inspiring true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely race horse bred by small town Welsh bartender, Jan Vokes (Academy Award^® nominee Toni Collette). With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream in the hopes he can compete with the racing elites. The group’s investment pays off as Dream rises through the ranks with grit and determination and goes on to race in the Welsh Grand National, showing the heart of a true champion.

All those in attendance at any of the films showing at Tower City Cinemas on Closing Night are invited to the Closing Night Ceremony (dessert reception and awards presentation) around the Tower City Center Grand Staircase after the screenings. Tickets to any Closing Night film are $14 for CIFF members and $16 for non-members.

Closing Night is generously sponsored by Universal Windows Direct.

CIFF44

For more information on the more than 600 screenings that will be shown between Opening Night and Closing Night, visit clevelandfilm.org beginning Friday, February 28 at 11:00 AM. Program Guides will be available throughout the area the week of March 2. Tickets go on sale to CIFF members on Friday, March 6 at 11:00 AM and to the public on Friday, March 13 at 11:00 AM. Tickets will be available online (clevelandfilm.org), by phone (1.877.304.FILM), or in-person at the Film Festival Box Office in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas.

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