Ciff Speaks

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. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube / Donate

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. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube / Donate

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. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube / Donate

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 Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube / Donate

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. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube / Donate

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 Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

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 Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

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 Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

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 Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

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 Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with Americanized director Erica Eng. We discuss her compulsion to know every character's motivation, utilizing commercial directing gigs to hone her skills, and the importance of including small details to give a film real texture. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with SIRENS Director Rita Baghdadi.   We discuss the power of live music when documenting a band, the creative discoveries that can happen in the editing process, and the difference between making an experiential film versus a didactic one.     CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with MAMA BEARS Director Daresha Kyi. We discuss how deep listening is an essential skill when making a documentary,  the emotional power of a simple hug, and how some of life's journeys require personal transformation.   CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with QUICKENING Director Haya Waseem.  We discuss how Haya finds inspiration for her shot list by exploring the emotional space of her characters, creating a state of mind for the audience of the film, and the importance of finding the perfect title early on in the creative process. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube   

On this episode CIFF Speaks with The Inventor director Philip Musey, producer Cabral Clements, and Sandra Morgan - the granddaughter of the film's subject Garrett Morgan. We discuss how creating art can provide hope during trying times, creating a 1916 production design on a short film budget, and the unexpected value of digging deep into family history.   CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with DAUGHTER OF A LOST BIRD Director Brooke Pepion Swaney and Subject/Producer Kendra Mylnechuk Potter.  We discuss how Kendra recorded the worst voicemail ever, the haunting nature of 1950's Bureau of Indian Affairs propaganda films, and the differences between having an ethnicity and being a political minority. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture.   Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with INHOSPITABLE Director Sandra Alvarez. We discuss the overlooked role nonprofit hospital monopolies play in our broken healthcare system, how advocates for change are making progress, and Sandra's first documentary shoot when she was eight years old.  CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with FREE RENTY: LANIER V HARVARD Director David Grubin and Subject Tammy Lanier. We discuss the power of storytelling to keep family history alive, the discovery of the daguerreotypes of Papa Renty, and how many additional artifacts Harvard is still holding. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with PEACE BY CHOCOLATE Director Jonathan Keijser and Actor Ayham Ammar. We discuss the emotional journey of adapting the true story of the Hadhad family, working with the late Hatem Ali, and what it's like to film in Northern Canada in the middle of winter. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube 

On this episode CIFF Speaks with the Features Programming Team: CIFF Artistic Director Mallory Martin, Neha Aziz, Ivonne Cotorruelo and Brett Reiter. We discuss how each member got their start in film programming as well as their overall approach to selecting the feature films presented at CIFF46. Link to YouTube video of each programmers picks for CIFF46. CIFF Speaks is sponsored by Wayside Furniture. Facebook / Twitter / IG / YouTube