Wed 3/30-Sun 4/10
Becoming 40 can be tough. The midlife crisis sets in and before you know it, you’re putting yourself in a fast two-seater.
Despite the fact the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is celebrating the big 4-0 this year, there are no signs of desperation. Instead, the spring ritual, with runs Wed 3/30 through Sun 4/10 at Tower City Cinemas, seems to be hitting its stride and feeling confident. There’s no better example of this than its Local Heroes competition, which finds 11 films about Ohio, in Ohio or by Ohioans competing for a $7,500 cash prize.
CoolCleveland talked to CIFF artistic director Bill Guentzler about the Local Heroes competition, which is entering its 5th year.
First of all, how does Local Heroes fit into the CIFF experience?
It’s just one of our many competitions. It definitely throws a shout-out to local filmmakers, but as far as anything else, it’s just part of the festival.
What is the origin of the Local Heroes competition?
We started it as a sidebar because we want to focus on Ohio-based filmmakers. So we like films that are either filmed in Ohio, by an Ohio filmmaker currently still living in Ohio, or a filmmaker originally from Ohio. It was years before it became a competition. It’s definitely grown in quality as well. Over the past few years, we’ve seen some really amazing films in the competition that have been filmed in Cleveland or the area. So we know we’re just complimenting what the Film Commission is doing. It’s Ohio in general but we book it more as Cleveland when we can.
You mentioned the quality of films spotlighted in Local Heroes has grown. Is this due to more films being considered or have Ohio filmmakers upped their game?
I think it’s gotten better. I think definitely the tax credit from the Greater Cleveland Film Commission helped out because it is keeping filmmakers here and giving them work throughout the year. So when they’re able to pull money together and make their own films, they’re able to do so instead of everybody moving to Los Angeles, New York City or wherever. We’re keeping great filmmakers in the state. And most people will acknowledge that these are quality films that would be in the festival no matter what.
In looking at this year’s lineup, what Local Heroes films stand out?
I think the narrative film Mad is one of my favorite films in the festival. It has got brilliant writing, and the acting in the film is amazing. Having come from Cleveland, it premiered in the Slamdance Film Festival in January, and it’s been doing the festival circuit. It keeps on being admitted to more and more festivals, which is really good to see a local film doing so well.
Naturally, the film that’s getting all of the buzz is CIFF Signature Event Believeland. The world premiere of the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary film delves into The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, The Decision, José Mesa and more. Should sports fans bring Kleenex?
Yes, especially if you lived through some of those plays and almost wins. It can be pretty emotional.
So what you’re saying is Believeland is actually going to be tantamount to a horror-film experience for Cleveland sports fans?
It’s actually really well done. It’s very inspirational for the city and really focuses on the fact that Clevelanders are tough and can get through this.
Sadly, I attended two of the aforementioned games.
Well, you’re going to feel it again.
For a schedule of Local Heroes films and dates, as well as a full schedule of the hundreds of films being shown at the CIFF headquarters at Tower City Cinemas, as well as other select locations around northeast Ohio, go to clevelandfilm.org.