The Cleveland International Film Festival is marking its 50th anniversary this year with an expanded run across two venues and a strong emphasis on Ohio-produced work. The festival, which was founded in 1977, runs in-person April 13–18, 2026, at Playhouse Square and the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights, with a streaming component available April 19–26.

CIFF50 will screen 236 short films and 90 feature films, including several Sundance premiere selections. The festival is returning to Cedar Lee Theatre — its original home — for the first time since it relocated to Playhouse Square in 2019. Executive Director Hermione Malone and Director of Programming Paul Sloop oversee the 2026 program, which includes a “Local Heroes” showcase dedicated to Ohio filmmakers. Festival co-founder Jon Forman is also participating in anniversary programming.

Ohio-based filmmakers represented in this year’s program include an Oberlin College graduate presenting short work and Kent State University professors Dana White and Chris Knoblock. The festival’s dual-venue format and focus on regional filmmakers reflects what organizers describe as a renewed commitment to the communities where the festival originated.

Source: WOSU / Ideastream Public Media