The Cleveland International Film Festival announced its vision for CIFF50, the organization’s 50th anniversary festival in 2026, on November 23, 2025. The milestone celebration includes a return to the Cedar Lee Theater where the festival was born in 1977, continued screenings at Playhouse Square, and a new partnership with the Cleveland State University School of Film and Media Arts.

The programming team for CIFF50 is now entirely composed of Clevelanders, a return to long-standing practice. The festival aims to embrace both traditional independent film and emerging digital storytelling, welcoming content creators and multimedia experiences alongside its established film program.

“As we approach our 50th Festival, we’re not just reflecting on where we’ve been; we’re reimagining what’s next,” the organization stated. CIFF was founded in 1977 and has grown into one of the largest film festivals in the United States, serving as a cultural anchor for the city’s arts community.

Source: https://www.clevelandfilm.org/news/reimagining-our-vision-for-ciff50/