For the next 10 days, get set to be a full-on film glutton. The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) returns for its 50th anniversary with an enormous slate: 326 films from 57 countries, including 53 world premieres, 25 U.S. premieres, and 66 Midwest premieres. Whew.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years of the Cleveland International Film Festival with the community that has supported and shaped us along the way,” CIFF executive director Hermione Malone said in a press release. “This milestone is not only a reflection of our history, but a celebration of where we’re heading—continuing to bring people together through powerful storytelling, shared experiences, and a deep connection to Cleveland’s vibrant arts and culture scene.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cleveland International Film Festival.CIFF director of programming Paul Sloop is equally proud and excited.

“I’m eager for our community to experience the incredible lineup of films our local team of programmers has selected for our 50th festival,” he adds. “What excites me most is the range of stories we’re bringing to Cleveland—from powerful documentaries like “A Man with Sole: [The Impact of Kenneth Cole]” to daring new voices and unforgettable narratives from around the world.

“This year’s program underscores CIFF’s growing reputation as a destination for discovering new voices and experiencing independent film at its most impactful,” Sloop continues.

The milestone festival arrives at a critical moment. In recent years, CIFF has faced budget challenges and reports of internal strain—prompting some to question its future. This year’s rendition, however, signals a resurgence, with renewed energy, strong programming, and a full 10-day run in theaters throughout Greater Cleveland.

There’s a cyclical nod to the festival’s origins: CIFF returns to the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights, where it first began in 1977. Organizers say the festival now features a locally rooted staff and a programming shift that includes more narrative features and fewer documentaries—responding directly to audience feedback in recent years.

CIFF’s 50^th anniversary starts today, Thursday, April 9, and continues through Saturday, April 18 in Playhouse Square, the Cleveland State University School of Film & Media Arts, and the Cedar Lee Theatre.

Here’s a look at some of this year’s festival highlights:

CIFF50 rolls out the red carpet on opening night to 'A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole.'Opening night
The festival officially rolls out the red carpet tonight, Thursday, April 9, featuring the documentary “A Man with Sole,” directed by Dori Berinstein. The film explores the life and work of fashion designer and activist Kenneth Cole, who has long used his brand as a platform to champion the causes he believes in. Cole was an early advocate during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and continues to support LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness today.

Both Berinstein and Cole will be in attendance for a post-film Q&A, offering audiences an inside look at the story behind the film and the ongoing impact of Cole’s work.

Opening night begins with a sold-out VIP reception from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Encore Cocktail Bar in Playhouse Square, 1580 Euclid Ave., across from the marquee, where guests can meet Berinstein and Cole.

General admission tickets are $50 and include the screening and afterparty at the Key Bank State Theatre at Playhouse Square.

Additional opening night highlights include interactive lobby activations such as a printmaking table with Zygote Press, a complimentary chocolate tasting and prize drawing from Sweet Designs Chocolatier of Lakewood, and a charm bar hosted by Oceanne, CIFF50’s jewelry partner.

CIFF50's Centerpiece film 'If I Go Will They Miss Me,' makes its Ohio premier. The film follows 12-year-old Lil Ant as he transforms his working-class neighborhood beneath the LAX flight path into a living mythology.Centerpiece film
Each year, the festival spotlights a Centerpiece screening—a marquee mid-festival selection worth circling on the schedule. This year’s pick is If I Go Will They Miss Me, a Sundance Film Festival 2026 award winner that follows a young artist struggling to reconnect with his father. The film stars Danielle Brooks, an Academy Award nominee for the cinematic adaptation of novelist Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple.”

According to the official synopsis, “Twelve-year-old Lil Ant transforms his working-class neighborhood beneath the LAX flight path into a living mythology, where family members become gods and the sky is crowded with endless departures. As he searches for connection with his god-like yet conflicted father, he finds support in his close-knit community, helping him reconcile myth and reality.”

The appearance by Brooks is just one highlight in a star-studded lineup: This year’s program includes appearances from actors like Bob Odenkirk, Jason Segel, and Samara Weaving, along with directors such as Steven Soderbergh and Maude Apatow.

More festival highlights
CIFF’s Short Films program is once again a standout. As an Academy Award–qualifying festival for films under 40 minutes, it brings together top selections from the global festival circuit along with works by local filmmakers.

Short films are grouped into curated blocks running 90 to 110 minutes, designed to showcase a range of styles and voices in a single sitting. The festival maintains Oscar-qualifying status across all three short film categories—animation, documentary, and live action—underscoring the strength of its programming.

This year’s lineup includes a wide variety of themed showcases, from After-Hours and Comedy Shorts to the DReam Maker Shorts Program highlighting LGBTQ+ stories, as well as family-friendly selections and more.

Another hallmark of the festival is its deep bench of guest talent. More than 350 filmmakers and cast members are expected to attend, including Kenneth Cole for opening night and Cleveland Browns legend Earnest Byner for “Believeland.”

Awards are also a major part of the experience. CIFF50 will honor standout films with both juried prizes and audience awards, distributing $72,000 in cash across feature and short categories, along with Oscar-qualifying honors in all three short film divisions.

The festival wraps up Saturday, April 18 with a high-profile Closing Night screening of “Power Ballad,” a musical comedy from “Sing Street” director John Carney. The film stars Nick Jonas as a fading boy band member who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a wedding singer played by Paul Rudd.

All told, CIFF’s 50th anniversary promises a packed schedule of films, guests, and memorable moments across the city. The complete film schedule and ticket purchase information is available through the CIFF50 site.