For the past 14 years, the annual Short.Sweet.Film Fest has showcased original, unique films that are under 40 minutes long and are often overlooked by mainstream film festivals.

Lyssa Samuel wrote, directed, and stars in the horror short 'Rash.'The festival celebrates its 15th year in 2026, opening today, Monday, March 2 and runs through Sunday, March 8 at Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square 6.

The films, created by artists ranging from film students to cinematic veterans across the United States, mark a continued expansion of short film categories that reflect the intention to adapt to global trends and social needs. This year’s lineup features 338 short films from 26 countries that are grouped in 33 film programs.

As Short.Sweet.Film Fest has grown, festival founder and executive director Michael Suglio says that the need to categorize the selections has become evident.

Angel R. Reed’s 'Star Mother' will screen on March 5 in the local filmmakers category.“The early years used to be like a potpourri of different films,” says Suglio, as he reflects on the festival’s growth. “What’s really changed is the wealth of submissions and the volume of submissions—we can break these down into clear genres.”

Tight shot on women
One new genre this year is the new “Women in Focus” program, which will show 29 films spread across three sessions on Saturday, March 7 at 1:30 p.m., 4:45 p.m., and 7:45 p.m.

Festival competition manager Alicia Spurlock championed the addition of the category, which features films that are all produced or directed by women.

“One of the things Alicia brings to the table is she’s really good at communicating and talking one-on-one with women filmmakers,” Suglio says. Taking inspiration from these interactions, Spurlock came to Suglio with the goal of celebrating women filmmakers more in the festival.

Suglio says appropriately defining a women-focused category was initially challenging, but a cinematic play on words helped Suglio and Spurlock land on the title “Women in Focus.”

Suglio adds that the festival team hopes to spark dialogue by sharing stories with long-term impacts.

“I hope more men do attend,” Suglio says of the Women in Focus category. “They’re great films for everyone.”

The Women in Focus Program 2 on Saturday, March 7 at 4:45 p.m., will screen “Rash,” which tells the story of a stressed med student who develops a rash and experiences continued dismissal of concerns for her health.

“No one will fully listen to her, and that’s really what the film is about,” Suglio explains, adding that director Lyssa Samuel, confronts gender-based systemic disregard throughout the film.

“It’s been very educational to me and [raises] great awareness,” he says, “but that’s why I think it’s really good for everyone to see.”

Reaching new highs
Submissions to the Short.Sweet.Film Fest were at an all-time high this year, with local producers and women significantly contributing to the growth.

Cyprian Piroch, who met Suglio 25 years ago when they both worked at a local movie theater and discovered their shared love of film, has been a judge for Short.Sweet.Film Fest since the first year.

Piroch says he sees Suglio’s talents in collaboration and building partnerships as an asset in growing the festival over the years.

“[Suglio] gets good input from those involved,” he observes. “Mike shoulders the credit for evolving it to what it has become today.”

Suglio is humble about his contribution to the festival’s 15-year success. “You got to listen, because that’s how things get better,” he says.

Piroch adds that Suglio’s team-building skills also are an asset in shaping young filmmakers, saying, “he devotes a large portion of Fest films to local and student filmmakers, offering them great networking.”

Cinematographer Danny Mizicko's documentary 'Skate Rat Since ‘88: The Kristian Svitak Story' runs on March 8.Seeing Cleveland on a skateboard
Festivals like this create space for regional voices and grassroots stories to be seen on a larger stage,” says Northeast Ohio creator of Stuck in Ohio Productions and documentary cinematographer Danny Mizicko.

On Sunday, March 8, in the Documentary Film program 3 at 7:15 p.m., Mizicko will show “Skate Rat Since ‘88: The Kristian Svitak Story.”

“If viewers walk away with a deeper respect for skateboarding and the Cleveland roots that helped shape Kristian, then the film has done its job,” Mizicko says of the documentary. “I wanted audiences, especially those unfamiliar with skate culture, to see the person behind the tricks and understand the Midwest grit that shaped him.”

Suglio says he particularly enjoys Mizicko’s perspective and how he presents both Cleveland and Svitak to the rest of the world.

“It’s one thing to have a film made in Cleveland, but it’s another thing to have a film made in Cleveland about someone born and raised in Cleveland,” he notes. “No one knows about this gentleman’s story, and that’s what makes it special.”

Family affairs
Suglio says getting family-friendly films for Short.Sweet.Film Fest can be a challenge, but Angel R. Reed’s “Star Mother” in the Local Filmmaker program on Thursday, March 5 will appeal to almost everyone, Suglio promises.

“It was really special to have a film that’s made locally that is for all ages,” he says, describing the plot focused on three orphans who face rough conditions after being adopted by a famous pop star.

The film stars Reed’s nieces as the three orphans, who Reed says were thrilled to be included.

Angel R. Reed’ stars with her real-life nieces in her short film 'Star Mother.'“When my nieces would see me on TV, they’d ask me, ‘Auntie Angel, can we act too?’” Reed recalls, adding that she’s always wanted to be an inspiration in film. “Even though it was on a small scale, I officially made my goal,” she says.

Reed says her nieces have now developed an affinity for acting.

“I thought to myself, ‘What are the odds of there being a casting call looking for three Black girls their age, and they get the parts,’” Reed recalls. “[I knew] the only way to do this is to make my own movie.”

Carrying on the legacy
Suglio, a successful filmmaker in his own right, started the first iteration of the Short.Sweet.Film Festival in 2012 as a small gathering in the basement of Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City. The festival has steadily grown each year and even expanded to an installment in New York City, and is a film and acting teacher at area colleges and universities.

Filmaker and entrepreneur Johnny K. Wu.He says his continued mission is to expand the opportunities for small, local, and rising filmmakers to expand their options.

“As someone who is a local filmmaker, I sought out to do this—to provide filmmakers the means to showcase their work,” he says. “It's always wonderful to see the local filmmaker programs heavily attended, or there be a lot of submissions in the category.”

The work never seems to stop, and Suglio says he wouldn’t have it any other way. He started preparing for the 2026 Short.Sweet.Film Fest in Cleveland immediately following the conclusion of the first NYC Short. Sweet. Film Fest at the end of September.

“Instead of going home at night and playing games or watching something on Netflix, you're just watching these [short films],” he admits. “It’s a good solid 20 hours a week outside of being a part-time professor.”

Suglio says the Cleveland festival usually shows about 300 films. It can be a heavy lift, he says, with the screenings and organization.

“What takes a long time is getting the actual film files from the filmmakers, testing them, and prepping them to make sure that they can be shown at the theater,” he says. “It’s really very rewarding to see people enjoy what you’ve spent a great deal of time on.”

But the ultimate experience of the festival is invigorating and worth the effort, he claims.

“[It has] the same energy as being a kid on Christmas morning,” he declares. “It’s something that impacts thousands of people, and that blows my mind.”

Actress Ellen RooneyMake a day of it
Beyond the film screenings, other activities and events at the Short.Sweet.Film Fest this year will include a free art show with all works for sale and a Short.Sweet.Acting Competition with cash prizes, judged by local filmmakers Robert C. Banks Jr., who completed his first feature film in 2014 and continued soaring in his successes; and Johnny K. Wu, who has made more than 100 films, and hosts the annual International Horror Hotel Film Festival; and actress Ellen Rooney, who has also taught at Cleveland State University, Baldwin Wallace University, and the Beck Center for the Arts, and is the author of “Memory Acting: Memory Techniques for Actors.”

Suglio says it’s best to make a day of the festival by enjoying Shaker Square. “Go see some films, go get some food, go get some coffee,” he suggests. “And then once you’re done, just come back and see some more shorts.”

He suggests checking the complete schedule to plan an itinerary. Ticket prices start at $15 for individual screenings, $35 for day passes on Saturday and Sunday, or $99 for an unlimited weeklong pass. Prices do not include fees.

During the week, doors open at 6 p.m., and film programs run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for weekend programming that runs from 12:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square 6 is at 13116 Shaker Square, Cleveland, 44120.