Local Heroes Storm CIFF

Films made about Ohio, in Ohio, or by Ohioans. That is what movie enthusiasts will expect to see at this year’s Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) Local Heroes Competition.

Sponsored by Cleveland State University, the thirteen titles were produced in five countries, including the U.S., as well as in Ireland, Japan and Germany. Both feature films and documentaries, the genres and time frames they cover are vast. In this cinematic baker’s dozen, there is something for everyone.

According to John Vourlis, a film studies instructor at CSU, the Local Heroes Competition is important to CSU because “it supports local talent, and thus local jobs, in a growing field… [We] show our support for local film-making, and for the CIFF as an international event.”

Whether you enjoy boxing or comics, mobsters or friendship, these films offer complex stories and rich details. They even have big names. James Franco, the Renaissance man de jour whose grandmother still lives in the Cleveland area, co-directed and stars in Interior. Leather Bar. Tyler Davidson, who we’ve been featuring since before his first Sundance trip, officially kicks off the CIFF with The Kings of Summer (formerly Toy’s House).

The stories that will hit the closest to home are those that are about this place, specifically the people who live and shape this place. A Fighting Heart is about fighter Johnny Kilbane who eventually left Ireland and moved to Cleveland. The Sugar Wars: The Life Story of Anthony Lonardo examines the nefarious past of this town. And Red, White and Blueprints: A Rust Belt Documentary examines what the steel cities of the Midwest are doing to resurrect themselves in a post-modern economy.

And if you need something to tap into your inner-child, John is recommending a film that’s more light-hearted than the typical heaviness that usually attracts film festival submissions. “I am excited to see Dear Mr. Watterson. [I’m a] big Calvin and Hobbes fan!”

As the world converges on Cleveland to see all these incredible films during the ever-growing CIFF, this year explore the globe, explore Ohio, explore your neighborhood.

Just explore.

See the full list of Local Heroes films and showtimes here. CIFF runs Wed 4/3 – Sun 4/14.

Reprinted with permission and gratitude from CoolCleveland.com.