The Cleveland International Film Festival marked its 50th anniversary with a 10-day run from April 9-18, 2026, presenting more than 90 feature films and 236 short films from 57 countries at venues including Playhouse Square’s State Theatre and the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights. More than 300 filmmakers attended the festival, which also spread screenings to Cleveland State University and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The festival opened April 9 with a screening of “A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole,” a documentary on fashion designer and activist Kenneth Cole, at the State Theatre. Tickets for the opening night event were $50, and a VIP reception with Cole and filmmaker Dori Berinstein sold out in advance. The return to Cedar Lee—the festival’s original home—was a deliberate nod to the event’s history: “You can see almost any film we’re playing this year at either location, Playhouse Square or Cedar Lee,” said Paul Sloop, CIFF’s director of programming.

New this year was a public Jury Awards ceremony on April 12 at the City Club of Cleveland, honoring selections in the Local Heroes, DReammaker, and Groundbreaker categories, as well as Oscar-qualifying short film competitions. The awards event was free to attend. Individual film tickets and day passes were available throughout the run, alongside membership and all-access options.

Source: WKYC Cleveland