Thank You! - Cleveland International Film Festival

Over the past 15 years,
ATTENDANCE HAS TRIPLED at the CIFF!
100,204
8,900+
FilmSlam (middle school and high school
Film Festival ) attendees from 97 schools
$141,031
Thank
You!
in Challenge Match donations,
surpassing our $125,000 goal
FOR BEING THE
INSPIRATION FOR OUR
SUCCESS.
FILMS AND FILMMAKERS
SPONSORS AND PAR TNERS
191 sponsors and funders
178 non-profit community partners
80 media and neighborhood outreach partners
193 feature films
238 short films
60 countries of origin
300 visiting filmmakers
511 screenings
STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEMBERS
VOLUNTEERS
220 seasonal staff
8 full-time staff
37 Trustees
1,474 members
1,008 volunteers
contributed over
11,000 hours of
their invaluable time
SAVE THE DATES
40th Cleveland International Film Festival • Tower City Cinemas
Wednesday, March 30 - Sunday, April 10, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS
FROM THE
The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival
2
Feature Films
American Independents Competition
Presented with the generous support of
Lauren Rich Fine and Gary Giller
THE YOUNG KIESLOWSKI
Directed by Kerem Sanga, USA
FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Feature
BECOMING BULLETPROOF
Award and
Competition
Winners
Directed by Michael Barnett, USA
George Gund III Memorial Central and
Eastern European Competition
Short Films
Presented with generous support from
The George Gund Foundation
THE FOOL
Directed by Yury Bykov, Russia
Global Health Competition
Sponsored by Cleveland Clinic Center for
Functional Medicine
Audience Choice Award for
Best Short
Best Ohio Short Award
BIS GLEICH (Till Then)
ANIMATOR VS.
ANIMATION IV
Directed by Benjamin Wolff,
Germany, USA
Sponsored by Oswald Companies
Directed by Alan Becker, USA
BECOMING BULLETPROOF
Best Animated Short Award*
Best Student Short Award
Directed by Michael Barnett, USA
Sponsored by Reminger Co., L.P.A.
Sponsored by MP Star Financial
BEAR STORY
STEALTH
Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition
Directed by Gabriel Osorio, Chile
Directed by Bennett Lasseter, USA
Presented with generous support from
The George Gund Foundation
Best Comedy Short Award
Best Women’s Short Award
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Sponsored by David K. Ream
Sponsored by Jinny and John Johnson
Directed by Thomas G. Miller, USA
LE REFUGE
BROKEN BRANCHES
Directed by Elliot Thomson, USA
Directed by Ayala Sharot, Israel
Presented with the generous support of
Mike and Nicki Cancelliere
Best Documentary Short Award
The Clover and Maggie Award:
In Celebration of Life
FORCED PERSPECTIVE
ON BEAUTY
Directed by Nick Cavalier, USA
Directed by Joanna Rudnick, USA
Music Movies Competition
Best International Short Award
Local Heroes Competition
Sponsored by Jules and Fran Belkin
Sponsored by Barbara Hawley and
David Goodman
IN THE CLOUDS
Presented with the generous support of
Jules and Fran Belkin
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
Directed by Martin Shore, USA
Nesnadny + Schwartz Documentary Competition
Sponsored by MP Star Financial
ALBERTINE
Directed by Alexis Van Stratum,
Belgium, France
STRAY DOG
Directed by Debra Granik, USA, Mexico
Sponsored by Jan and Harold Babbit
ReelWomenDirect Award for Excellence in
Directing by a Woman
Presented with the generous support of
Deborah Bachman Ratner
Alexandria Bombach and
Mo Scarpelli
(for FRAME BY FRAME, Afghanistan)
ABAN & KHORSHID
Directed by Darwin Serink, USA
Programmers’ Choice Award for
Best Short: In Celebration of the
Life of Toni Oliverio
RÚBAÍ (Ruby)
Sponsored by Anne Bloomberg and
Alan Gordon Lipson & Judy Harris
Directed by Louise Ní Fhiannachta,
Ireland
BIS GLEICH (Till Then)
Directed by Benjamin Wolff,
Germany, USA
The Spalding and Jackson Award:
In Celebration of Joy
Sponsored by Marcie Goodman and
John C. Williams
Sponsored by the Callahan Foundation
Directed by Michael Barnett, USA
Directed by John Jivan, Dustin Lee,
Terry Geer, Ledion Isufaj, and
Eric Schilling, USA
Best Live Action Short Award*
Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award
for Best Film
BECOMING BULLETPROOF
FilmSlam Student Choice Award
for Best Short
SUPER PIMP
Best LGBT Short Award:
Given in Celebration of the Life
of Nikki Babbit
Sponsored by Nesnadny + Schwartz
Directed by Marcelo Mitnik,
Argentina, USA
*These award winners will qualify for
consideration in the Short Films category
of the annual Academy Awards.®
WELCOME
(Bienvenidos)
Directed by Javier Fesser, Spain
3
Neighborhood Screenings
This year the Cleveland International Film Festival was excited to explore — and introduce our audience to —
more Northeast Ohio neighborhoods than ever before by adding Festival screenings throughout the region to
complement our Downtown Cleveland hub at Tower City Cinemas.
Akron Art Museum
Cinemark Valley View
Akron
Valley View
Akron-Summit County Public Library
Cleveland Museum of Art Gartner Auditorium
Akron
Cleveland’s University Circle
Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square
Cleveland’s Waterloo Arts District
Downtown Cleveland
Capitol Theatre
The Nightlight
Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood
Akron
Cedar Lee Theatre
Shaker Square Cinemas
Cleveland Heights
Cleveland’s Shaker Square Neighborhood
Chagrin Cinemas
Chagrin Falls
Sponsored by:
Someone to Watch
Someone to Watch highlights the work of
mid-career filmmakers who we believe are
rising stars in international filmmaking.
Mike Ott
Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross
Films Screened at the 39th CIFF
Films Screened at the 39th CIFF
LAKE LOS ANGELES
PEARBLOSSOM HWY
LITTLEROCK
WESTERN
TCHOUPITOULAS
45365
New Direction
CIFF39 was proud to present
New Direction, a program
showcasing debut feature length
filmmakers who are taking an
innovative approach to film.
Thibault Arbre
Ann-Marie Schmidt & Brian Schmidt
NOW WE’RE ALIVE (France/Belgium, 2014)
THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF JOJO (AND
HIS ANNOYING SISTER AVILA) (USA, 2014)
Douglas Boswell
Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy
LABYRINTHUS (Belgium/Netherlands, 2014)
Bas Devos
THE TRIBE (Ukraine, 2014)
Sarah Adina Smith
VIOLET (Belgium/Netherlands, 2014)
Isaac Ezban
THE MIDNIGHT SWIM (USA, 2014)
Khalil Sullins
THE INCIDENT (Mexico, 2014)
Abhay Kumar
LISTENING (USA/Cambodia, 2014)
Joshua Tate
PLACEBO (India, 2014)
LOVE LAND (USA, 2014)
4
PRESENTING SPONSOR
The Board of Directors, Staff,
and Volunteers of the Cleveland
International Film Festival would
like to extend our heartfelt thanks
to all of our Sponsors and Patrons
for their support of the recordbreaking 39th CIFF. You are the
inspiration for our success.
DIAMOND SPONSORS
P L AT I N U M S P O N S O R S
F O U N D AT I O N S U P P O R T
The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival
5
GOLD SPONSORS
S I LV E R S P O N S O R S
BRONZE SPONSORS
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
MAJOR INDIVIDUAL DONORS
6
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
H O S P I TA L I T Y S P O N S O R S
MEDIA SPONSORS
N E I G H B O R H O O D O U T R E A C H PA R T N E R S
7
The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival
PREMIUM FILM SPONSORS
ALISTAIR and JOYCE FYFE
NANCE HIKES and MICHAEL MELAMPY
CARL and GEORGINE RAK
FILM SPONSORS
JAMES S. ANDERSON and DAVID W. WITTKOWSKY
ART and CAROL ANTON
CHRIS S. W. and LAURA WATILO BLAKE
LYNN GOTTLOB
THE GUENTZLER FAMILY
DR. DAVID PERSE
ROLFE PORTER
ROSE PRISKO
SUSAN SPECTOR
8
C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S
Medical Mutual
Community Engagement Program
The Medical Mutual Community Engagement Program builds and
strengthens partnerships with other non-profits by connecting them to
films in the Festival. As a result, the CIFF continues to embed itself
into the fabric of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and Northern Ohio.
9
The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival
C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S
10
The cast and crew of BECOMING BULLETPROOF gather on stage to
accept the Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film.
For the first time in the organization’s history,
CIFF held screenings at the world-renowned
Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle.
Photo by Hilary Bovay
CIFF39 Opening Night film I’LL SEE YOU
IN MY DREAMS director Brett Haley and
producer Rebecca Green pose before their
screening to 1,500 attendees.
“ The Cleveland International Film Festival was one of my all-time
favorite festival experiences. Amazing organizers and best of all, the
audiences, which were packed and engaged and thoughtful and warm
and welcoming and lovely. Every moment at CIFF was top notch!
Thanks for the love Cleveland. Can’t wait to return.”
— Michael Barnett, Director, BECOMING BULLETPROOF
“ CIFF blew us away. It means so much to
filmmakers to screen your film in front of a
packed theater, let alone multiple packed
theaters. It was a gift to show FRAME BY
FRAME at this festival and it was an honor
to receive the ReelWomenDirect award at a
festival that recognizes the need for more
women in film. Thank you CIFF!”
Douglas Boswell, Brian Schmidt, Ann-Marie Schmidt, Abhay Kumar, Khalil Sullins, and Joshua Tate
participate in the New Direction panel discussion.
— Alexandria Bombach and Mo Scarpelli, Co-Directors,
FRAME BY FRAME
All photos by Cleveland International Film Festival
11
The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival
“ Having grown up in Cleveland, it was a dream of
mine to bring ALL-STARS to CIFF and share it with
Cleveland audiences. When that dream became a
The cast and crew of ALL-STARS during their Q&A:
Miriam Flynn, Fred Willard, Lance Kinsey, and James Portolese.
reality, the experience far surpassed anything I
could have imagined. CIFF sets the gold standard
for film festivals for both filmmakers and audiences
alike. Everyone involved, from the board members
and staff to every single volunteer, shared a tireless
spirit and boundless enthusiasm for film that translated to an unparalleled festival experience. To have
such massive and well-informed audiences who
were so eager to engage with filmmakers creates a
unique atmosphere. Another way of putting it is:
CIFF 39 was the best, the greatest, and flat-out fun!
Thanks to everyone for making CIFF 39 so special.
I couldn’t be prouder to be a Clevelander!”
—Lance Kinsey, Director, ALL-STARS
“ Cleveland International Film Festival is a rocket’s red glare across
the American cultural firmament. I was blown away by the magnitude
and artistry of the operation you conduct.”
— Elliot Thomson, Director, LE REFUGE
A record-setting 8,900 junior high
and high school students participated
in FilmSlam at CIFF39.
Approximately 2,000 film fans attended
CIFF39 Closing Night Ceremonies.
“ Having the opportunity to premiere
my first film FORCED PERSPECTIVE —
which was filmed in Cleveland and is
about a Cleveland artist — with the
fantastic and receptive audiences in
the city I’m from, was a huge honor
and an unforgettable experience. It
made me feel like a Local Hero.”
— Nick Cavalier, Director, FORCED PERSPECTIVE
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Smith, President
Chris S.W. Blake, Vice President
of Strategic Planning
Nancy Callahan, President-Elect,
Vice President of Development
William E. Koeth, Vice President
of Finance
Kevin Poor, Vice President
of Marketing
Kate O’Neil, Secretary
Joe Arezone
Jules Belkin
Frank Bird III
Anne E. Bloomberg
Jack Boyle
Robert Bryan
Carolyn Buller
Hon. Joe Cimperman, ex officio
Jennifer Coleman
Jim Crutchfield
John Davies
Courtney DeOreo
Timothy J. Downing
Lauren Rich Fine
Char Fowler
Scott Gaines
Debra S. Gold
Dean Ilijasic
Jinny Johnson
Gretchen Jones
Lisa King
Lisa Kreiger
Toby Devan Lewis
Alan Gordon Lipson
Todd Mesek
Njeri Nuru-Holm, Ph.D.
Carla Streep O’Day, M.D.
Carl Rak
David K. Ream
Ivan Schwarz, ex officio
Roy Turnell
MISSION
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
EXECUTIVE STAFF
The Cleveland
International Film
Festival promotes
Debby Samples Dzioba
Marketing Director
artistically and
culturally significant
Marcie Goodman
Executive Director
film arts through
William Frank Guentzler
Artistic Director
education and
exhibition to enrich
Debbie “Sheepie” Marshall
Office Manager and Membership Director
Mallory Martin
Associate Programmer and Projection Manager
the life of the
community.
Allie Perrett
Development Assistant
Beth Steele Radisek
Special Projects Director
Patrick Shepherd
Associate Director
Gail Sullivan
Financial Consultant
CIFF Merchandise is available online at clevelandfilm.org
CIFF Membership is available online at clevelandfilm.org
Members have the opportunity to buy discounted tickets a
week before the general public.
SAVE THE DATES
40th Cleveland International Film Festival
Wednesday, March 30 - Sunday, April 10, 2016
Tower City Cinemas
Cleveland International Film Festival
Business Office
2510 Market Avenue / Cleveland, OH 44113-3434
216.623.FILM (3456) / [email protected]
clevelandfilm.org
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