We are joined today by director Trevor Anderson to discuss his debut feature film BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND. The film takes on the complexity of the gender binary with the touching and retro story of young American androgynous teen Robin. Set to a killer 80s synth soundtrack, BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND illustrates the unthinkable lows one can travel to for the sake of acceptance.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Today we are joined by the director of CIFF47 film IT'S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL, Alexandria Bombach. Alexandria gives us a backstage pass into the making of her film which celebrates the music, activism, and impact of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, the legendary queer folk-rock duo the Indigo Girls.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Lisa Cortés – director of CIFF47 film LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING – discusses how a Black, queer rockstar lived his life as a trailblazer, and whose complex legacy transformed the music industry forever.

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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Today we are joined by Henna Taylor, director of CIFF47 film AN ACCIDENTAL LIFE. The film follows the journey of esteemed rock climber Quinn Brett after her fall from the granite face of Yosemite National Park’s famed El Capitan. What follows is a story of self-doubt and relentless resilience as Brett is determined to find—and advocate for—the quality of life she and other spinal cord injury survivors deserve.

Today we speak with acclaimed documentarian Gabriela Cowperthwaite about her CIFF47 film THE GRAB. As food becomes the future’s most powerful weapon, THE GRAB asks who else is snatching up farmable acreage, and what means will those in power use to hoard the remaining resources on Earth?

CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.

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FilmSlam® is CIFF’s oldest education program, working with educators to serve students grades 5th – 12th. Learn more about this celebrated program – and how to get involved – with this episode of CIFF Speaks®, featuring CIFF’s Education Director Gabby Burrage, and Instructor of Film, Media Arts, and Communications, and FilmSlam Streams Conversations Moderator, Eric Siler.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary is CIFF’s one-of-a-kind event where attendees help program the upcoming Festival – CIFF’s Get Shorty, sponsored by Huntington! On this episode Dee and Aaron speak with the man himself – the emcee of the event, CIFF’s Shorts Film Programming Manager Paul Sloop. Listen in as we relive some of the most memorable Get Shorty moments. CIFF’s Get Shorty will take place Friday, February 3rd at 7:00pm at Playhouse Square. Tickets at ClevelandFilm.org

On this episode CIFF Speaks with Short Films Programming Manager Paul Sloop. 

We discuss the screening process for the Short Films Programming Team, the unexpected benefits of meeting on Zoom, and how easy it is to access films with CIFF Streams.  

On this episode CIFF Speaks with DReam Maker Award winner and FRAMING AGNESS Director Chase Joynt. 

We discuss the role research plays in shaping our various histories, the importance of exploring archival material from a variety of vantage points, and the way various recording technologies can be portals to both intimacy and alienation.

On this episode CIFF Speaks with KRIMES Director Alysa Nahmias.

We discuss how the prison system can still hold onto a person even after their released, the innate creativity within all human beings, and the creation of the incredible murals in Philadelphia featured in the film.