Cleveland International Film Festival Celebrates 50 Years with Global Stories and Local Wrestling Documentary
By Nexio News
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Playhouse Square is stepping into the spotlight as a premier destination for film lovers this April. The 50th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) will showcase 99 feature films from around the world, running from April 9 to 18 across multiple venues, including Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University.
Among the highlights is Slowburn Shoot, a gripping documentary that dives deep into Cleveland’s underground wrestling scene. The film, set to premiere on April 13 at the Ohio Theatre, follows the lives of local wrestlers, capturing their passion, struggles, and unbreakable camaraderie.
A Festival Rooted in Community
What began in 1977 as a modest event at the Cedar Lee Theatre has blossomed into one of the most respected film festivals in the world.
“This festival belongs to Cleveland,” said Paul Sloop, CIFF’s Director of Programming. “The community has embraced it, making it what it is today—a celebration of storytelling that resonates globally and locally.”
This year, the festival pays homage to its origins by splitting screenings between Playhouse Square and CSU, with roughly half the films showing at each location.
Hermoine Malone, CIFF’s Executive Director, emphasized the enduring power of cinema. “There’s something magical about sitting in a theater with strangers, experiencing a story that makes you laugh, cry, or see the world differently. Film still has that unique ability to connect us.”
Inside Slowburn Shoot: Wrestling, Heartbreak, and Resilience
Director Adam Wilde spent seven years documenting Cleveland’s Absolute Intense Wrestling scene, crafting a film that goes beyond the ring.
“I couldn’t be prouder that it’s making its world premiere here,” Wilde said. “This isn’t just about wrestling—it’s a blue-collar story about passion, loss, and the families we create along the way.”
One of the documentary’s central figures is Josh Piscura, a local wrestler known as “Josh Prohibition.” The film follows his career and emotional decision to retire.
“It’s about perseverance, loyalty, and the unseen bonds behind the curtain,” Piscura said. “Even if you’re not a wrestling fan, the human story will hit you hard. Stay till the end—it’s a tearjerker.”
Wilde hopes the film shines a light on Cleveland’s resilience. “These wrestlers built something extraordinary out of pure passion. Their story transcends the city—it’s a testament to grit and heart.”
How to Experience CIFF50
With screenings spanning ten days, the festival offers something for every cinephile—from international dramas to hometown stories like Slowburn Shoot.
Tickets are available now on the official CIFF website.
As Malone puts it: “Great stories change us. That’s what this festival is all about.”
— Reported by Nexio News
