By Cleveland International Film Festival Staff

With the record-setting 35th Cleveland International Film Festival in the books, the staff have turned their attention to the 36th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF). While logistical planning, fundraising efforts, and community outreach partnerships are underway here in Cleveland, half a world away Artistic Director, Bill Guentzler, is in Karlovy Vary scouting for films. Bill explains that “Karlovy Vary is one of the premier film festivals in the world. Focusing heavily on regional cinema, this is where many of the films in the CIFF’s Central & Eastern European Competition come from. It also doesn’t hurt that Karlovy Vary is a beautiful centuries old spa town where people come from all over the world to ‘take in the waters.’”

Join us for the 36th CIFF, which will take place March 22 – April 1, 2012 at Tower City Cinemas. For more information, please visit www.clevelandfilm.org.

35th CIFF Statistics: Attendance of 78,030, 152 Feature Films, 133 Short Subject Films, 62 Countries of Origin, 150 Visiting Filmmakers from Around the World, 158 Sponsors and Funders, 105 Community Partners, 85 Media Sponsors, 50 College and University Outreach Partners, 250 College Ambassadors, 4,009 FilmSlam High School Attendees, 125 Seasonal Staff Members, and 450 Volunteers.