Your story deserves an audience. Submissions for #CIFF50 are open, and our Earlybird Deadline - September 5- is coming up fast! . Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a festival regular, now’s the time to show us what you’ve been working on.

“Storytelling entertains, educates, and inspires.” – Naja Lockwood. Her film On Healing Land, Birds Perch screened at #CIFF49. We make space for bold voices—at every stage. Submissions for #CIFF50 are now open. Link in bio. #IndependentVoices #FilmIsPower

Join millions who have switched to Grok.

Missed the call last year? Here’s your shot. Submissions are open again for #CIFF50, and we’re ready to discover the next unforgettable story. The early deadline for submissions is September 6, 2025!

Christmas in July continues with a special gift from CIFF in honor of our Executive Director's birthday! Use code CHRISTMAS to save 50% on anything in our online merchandise store through the end of the month!. Fill your cart #CIFFMerchDrop #ShopCIFF

Big congrats to Hoops, Hopes & Dreams—#CIFF49 Best Doc Short—on its @Andscape/@Disney acquisition! It’s headed to @Hulu and tells the powerful story of MLK & civil rights activists using basketball to inspire voters. Don’t miss our next Shorts Club: Aug 21!

Christmas in July continues with a special gift from CIFF in honor of our Executive Director's birthday today! Use code CHRISTMAS to save 50% on our online merchandise store through the end of the month!. #CIFFMerchDrop #ClevelandCool #ShopCIFF

You may not see it yet, but #CIFF50 is already in motion. We’re curating, dreaming, and building the kind of experience that makes people fall in love with film all over again. Stay close. It’s going to be something special.

Missed To A Land Unknown at CIFF49 or want a rewatch? 🎬 Don’t miss Mahdi Fleifel’s gripping thriller about Athens-based Palestinian refugees fighting for passports in a harsh world. Catch it on July 25 at @clevelandcinematheque! #CIFF49 #FilmTwitter

We’re honored! CIFF has been named one of FilmFreeway’s Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals for June all thanks to the incredible community who make it all possible. Submissions are open now at early bird prices. #CIFF50 #FilmFreeway #Top100 #CallForEntries #SubmitYourFilm

It’s Christmas in July at CIFF! Become a recurring donor ($10+/mo) and get 2 tix to A Christmas Story on 7/23 at the Cedar Lee—CIFF’s original home! Help us hit 50 new monthly donors for #CIFF50 🎬🎁

CIFF extends condolences to all who knew and loved poet @andreagibson, who passed away yesterday from a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. We send our love to their family and friends.

Don’t wait until the final frame. Your story deserves to be seen and felt. Submit your film for consideration in our #CIFF50 program and share your voice with audiences who are ready to listen. Details at the link in our bio.

Independent film pulls you in and refuses to let go. At CIFF, we champion bold perspectives, raw emotion, and fearless storytelling that stays with you long after the credits roll.

We still can't get over the amazing time we had with #CIFF49! Check out some of the feedback from our screenwriters!. Plus, don't miss your opportunity to be apart of #CIFF50. The call for entries is open and we can't wait to see yours.

Beware those who come knocking. 40 ACRES, starring Danielle Deadwyler and screened at CIFF49, hits theaters today! #40Acres

The call for entries for #CIFF50 is officially open. Films of any genre, runtime, and country are eligible as long as your production was completed after June 1, 2024. More information is available on our website

Film submissions for our 50th Festival open on July 1! Shorts, features, narratives, docs, comedy, animation, horror - we want it all! Take advantage of our lowest prices before entry fees go up on September 6.

It’s National Movie Night—our favorite kind of holiday. We're celebrating with gratitude for every story that moves us, every filmmaker who inspires us, & every audience that joins us in the magic of cinema. What are you watching? 👇. #CIFF50 #NationalMovieNight

We just made MovieMaker’s “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” list for 2025! . Thanks, MovieMaker Magazine for the love! . Full story 👉

Missed your chance to pick up some merch at this year's festival? It's not too late! From tees to totes and more, our online store is now stocked! Shipping is included for all orders!. Get it before it's gone! 👉.