CIFF Speaks
Welcome to CIFF Speaks, sponsored by Wayside Furniture, the official podcast for the Cleveland International Film Festival! #CIFF48 April 3-13, 2024 | #CIFF48Streams April 14-21, 2024
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One Last Curtain Call with Marcie Goodman and Patrick Shepherd
04/13/2024
One Last Curtain Call with Marcie Goodman and Patrick Shepherd
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 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 . / / / /
/episode/index/show/clefilmfest/id/30719548
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CIFF48 Streams + Shorts
04/12/2024
CIFF48 Streams + Shorts
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 . / / / /
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WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN
04/11/2024
WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN
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 . / / / /
/episode/index/show/clefilmfest/id/30580483
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Confessions
04/10/2024
Confessions
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 . / / / /
/episode/index/show/clefilmfest/id/30698553
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QUEEN OF MY DREAMS
04/09/2024
QUEEN OF MY DREAMS
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 . / / / /
/episode/index/show/clefilmfest/id/30605833
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Superman Doesn't Steal
04/08/2024
Superman Doesn't Steal
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 . / / / /
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9TO5: STORY OF A MOVEMENT / Celebrating Julia Reichert: Her Life and Legacy
04/07/2024
9TO5: STORY OF A MOVEMENT / Celebrating Julia Reichert: Her Life and Legacy
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 . / / / /
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BIG BOYS
04/06/2024
BIG BOYS
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 . / / / /
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STORY & PICTURES BY
04/05/2024
STORY & PICTURES BY
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 . / / / /
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JESSZILLA
04/04/2024
JESSZILLA
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 . / / / /
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THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS
04/03/2024
THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS
Season Six of CIFF Speaks kicks off with a rockstar of a conversation as co-hosts Dee Perry and Aaron Spears talk with Jeff Dupre, director of THIS IS A STORY ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS. A documentary about one of Ohio's most beloved success stories, you guessed it - The Black Keys - Jeff discusses how he went about telling the story of Akron natives Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney's rise to fame from basement jam sessions to sold out arenas. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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Lights, Camera, Unity: Celebrating Black Stories
01/31/2024
Lights, Camera, Unity: Celebrating Black Stories
Join us in celebrating Black History Month with Lights, Camera, Unity: Celebrating Black Stories, presented in partnership with the . The two-hour shorts program available for streaming Feb 1-4 - is a compilation of powerful short films that recognize the significance and distinction of Black experiences in America. Our guests today are the Executive Director of Donna Dabbs, and Associate Director of Patrick Shephard. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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26.2 TO LIFE Virtual Premiere Bonus Episode
09/29/2023
26.2 TO LIFE Virtual Premiere Bonus Episode
In partnership with 26.2 TO LIFE, CIFF is thrilled to announce the film’s today through Tuesday, October 2nd. To celebrate, we have a bonus episode with the film’s director Christine Yoo and featured subject . CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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26.2 TO LIFE at GCUFF
09/14/2023
26.2 TO LIFE at GCUFF
CIFF47 alum – and the recipient of its ReelWomenDirect Award for Excellence in Directing By a Woman – 26.2 TO LIFE is back on the big screen in Cleveland as part of the 2023 , taking place September 14th-22nd. Director Christine Yoo and featured subject join hosts Dee Perry and Aaron Spears to discuss the experience of training for and documenting one of the most unique marathons in the country, the San Quentin State Prison 1,000 Miles Club. . CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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Shorts + CIFF Streams Kick-Off
04/01/2023
Shorts + CIFF Streams Kick-Off
On today's episode Dee and Aaron speak with a return guest, CIFF's own Shorts Programming Manager, Paul Sloop! Paul talks about the journey of programming CIFF47's 199 short films, traveling to festivals post-pandemic, and how film fans can get the most out of CIFF47 Streams, taking place April 2nd - 9th. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
/episode/index/show/clefilmfest/id/26398536
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JOYLAND
03/31/2023
JOYLAND
Today we are joined by Saim Sadiq, director of Pakistan’s official Oscar® selection and winner of the Cannes 2022 Queer Palm, JOYLAND. Layered with forbidden love, despair, and a painfully dysfunctional family dynamic, this drama brings to light the crushing weight of gender norms when living underneath an oppressively patriarchal structure. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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STILL WORKING 9 TO 5
03/30/2023
STILL WORKING 9 TO 5
Today’s episode of CIFF Speaks sits down with Camille Hardman, one of the directors of CIFF47 film STILL WORKING 9 TO 5. We get a behind-the-scenes look at the seminal film’s production, its adaptations, and how it popularized feminism in the workplace. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES
03/29/2023
MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES
On this episode we are joined by directors of the CIFF47 film MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES, Sam Pollard and Ben Shapiro. The directors tell the story of influential jazz drummer Max Roach, whose timeless music and cultural activism spanned across seven decades, and changed the landscape of America. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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SUSIE SEARCHES
03/28/2023
SUSIE SEARCHES
Today we are joined by director Sophie Kargman, who takes us behind the scenes of her thrilling, unpredictable, and darkly humorous CIFF47 film SUSIE SEARCHES. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY
03/27/2023
ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY
On today’s episode we speak with Bryan Darling and Jesse Finley Reed, directors of the CIFF47 film ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY. Listen in as they talk about the impact the late-20th-century mail-order catalog, International Male, had on reshaping the popular image of the queer male American life. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND
03/26/2023
BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND
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 . / / / /
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IT'S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL
03/25/2023
IT'S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL
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 . / / / /
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LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING
03/24/2023
LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING
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 . / / / /
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AN ACCIDENTAL LIFE
03/23/2023
AN ACCIDENTAL LIFE
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. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / / /
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THE GRAB
03/22/2023
THE GRAB
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 . / / / /
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FilmSlam
01/30/2023
FilmSlam
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. CIFF Speaks® is sponsored by . / / /
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It’s time to Get Shorty with CIFF
01/13/2023
It’s time to Get Shorty with CIFF
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 CIFF Speaks is sponsored by . / / /
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CIFF Streams Kick-Off & Shorts Programs Highlights
04/10/2022
CIFF Streams Kick-Off & Shorts Programs Highlights
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. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by . / / /
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FRAMING AGNES
04/09/2022
FRAMING AGNES
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. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by . / / /
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KRIMES
04/08/2022
KRIMES
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. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by . / / /
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