Shaker Square in Cleveland is hosting the inaugural Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival, screening 11 features and more than 20 short and animated films. The festival kicked off on Thursday, April 19 and will run through Sunday, April 22 at Shaker Square Cinemas.
Donna Dabbs, the festival’s executive director, was inspired by the success of the annual Cleveland International Film Festival, and wanted to create a similar event. The difference is that the Greater Cleveland Urban Festival is more specifically targeted to people of color. It is the outcome of her position as a manager for the Society of Urban Professionals, which for the last ten years has been coordinating networking events in Greater Cleveland. She said, “The mission of that group is to bring together African-American professionals and build relationships.”
Of the festival, Dabbs said, “We hope to see a buzz of people on Shaker Square having a good time and thinking they can’t wait to get back next year.”
The festival kicked off with a screening of the film “The Contradictions of Fair Hope” on Thursday, followed by a post-film reception. On Friday and Saturday, screenings, panels, receptions and after-parties will begin at 9am and wrap up at around 2am. Sunday hours are 11am to 10pm.
Viewers can expect to see quality feature films such as the hip-hop comedy “Camp Kickitoo,” the psychological drama “The Broken Balloon,” and the thriller “It’s in the Blood.”
Meltrice Borders, the festival’s project manager, said, “We have a lot of talented artists here in Greater Cleveland and we want to celebrate them. We’ll have everything from religious to educational to just entertaining films.”
For more information on schedules and tickets, please log on to gcuff.org.
