CIFF48 will mark the end of an era, with Executive Director Marcie Goodman and Associate Director Patrick Shepherd both stepping down after more than two decades of Festival leadership.

Our friend Mike Miller of Music Box Supper Club invited the celebrated duo to reminisce about some of their favorite CIFF stories over the years. Our sincere thanks to Mike Miller and Music Box Supper Club's Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties series.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Today we talk with Paul Sloop, better known as "The Shorts Guy." As CIFF's Short Films Lead Programmer, Paul and his team watch thousands of films a year in order to bring the best of the best in independent short films to CIFF. Listen in as he gives us behind-the-scenes information on how the team puts together more than 20 short film programs each year for our Academy-qualifying Festival.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Canadian filmmaker Kim Albright joins us today to talk about her absurdist sci-fi comedy, WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN. Based on a play by the same name, Kim talks through the inspiration behind - and message of - this modern, dystopian-esque exploration of loneliness in the digital era.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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We're in conversation today with Stephanie Kaznocha, writer and director of the hilarious short film Confessions. We listen in as Stephanie talks about her prior connection to CIFF, and how audiences are reacting to this award-winning short film. 

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Today we speak with Fawzia Mirza, the director of THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS. We ask Fawzia about her journey from practicing lawyer to celebrated director, and when her love of the arts began. Fawzia also dives into some of the nuances incorporated throughout the film to help tell the story of the complex dynamic of the mother-daughter relationship.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Powerhouse writer, director, producer, and non-profit founder Tamika Lamison joins us today to discuss her short film Superman Doesn't Steal. Tamika discusses how the film came to be, and how it grew from the intersection of two of her passions: filmmaking and service.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Academy Award Winner Steve Bognar joins us in conversation today as we take a walk down memory lane. CIFF audiences first met Steve in 1996 with his film PERSONAL BELONGINGS, and met his partner - the legendary Julia Reichert, who sadly passed away in December 2023 - in 2006 with their wildly loved documentary A LION IN THE HOUSE.

Over the years, the duo brought their compelling films to CIFF screens, including AMERICAN FACTORY, for which they won an Oscar. Listen in as we discuss our very special program, CELEBRATING JULIA REICHERT: HER LIFE AND LEGACY, as well as the return of 9TO5: STORY OF A MOVEMENT as part of the Festival's newest program, CIFF Retro.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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On today's episode we speak with director Corey Sherman about his feature film debut BIG BOYS. Corey talks about taking a more compassionately comedic approach when telling the story of queer self-awakening, and the sweet awkwardness of experiencing your first crush.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Today our co-hosts Dee Perry and Aaron Spears are joined by Joanna Rudnick, director of STORY & PICTURES BY. Joanna discusses the role picture books play beyond childhood nostalgia, and the importance of them in the reading journey. Listen in as we take a stroll down memory lane through the magic of picture books.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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In this episode we are joined by director Emily Sheskin to discuss her modern day boxing story, JESSZILLA. Emily revisits the process of documenting Jesselyn Silva's journey from a 9-year-old boxing prodigy to her three-peat as a national champion, and the hit no one saw coming.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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