The 45th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF45 Streams) will kick off its 14-day online run with Together Together – a film exploring contemporary connections and the particulars of love.
The story focuses on two very different characters: Matt (Ed Helms), a successful app developer in his 40s who is ready to start a family but finds himself without any romantic prospects; and, Anna (Patti Harrison), a young barista with a complicated past who is hired as Matt’s surrogate. Together Together takes viewers on a delightful ride with this story about love and friendship formed in the most unlikely circumstances. Written and directed by Nikole Beckwith (Stockholm, Pennsylvania), and produced by Anthony Brandonisio, Tim Headington, and Daniela Taplin Lundberg, the film features a dynamic cast of comedy gems including Tig Notaro, Julio Torres, Anna Konkle, and Sufe Bradshaw.
New this year, the Festival added a Centerpiece Screening, Summertime, directed by Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting). Summertime is a love song to the West Coast that blends poetry and hip-hop with themes of home and belonging. Taking place over one summer day in bustling Los Angeles, the film showcases 25 young local poets, using their impassioned slam pieces like a musical does songs.
On Saturday, April 17, 2021, CIFF45 Streams will wrap with the Closing Night Film, Best Summer Ever, directed by Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli.
This joyful and heartwarming teen genre musical follows Sage and Anthony who – after falling in love at a summer dance camp – find themselves unexpectedly reunited at high school and dealing with the struggles of being true to your authentic self. Fresh and inclusive, Best Summer Ever,and its fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, will have you dancing in your living room with its eight original songs.
CIFF45 Streams will be held entirely online April 7-20, 2021 at clevelandfilm.org. The Festival will consist of hundreds of films, filmmaker conversations and Q&As, audience voting, filmmaker awards, podcast episodes, and merchandise, as well as audience engagement activities and events. Tickets – including special event screenings – will go on sale to CIFF Members on Monday, March 22nd at 11:00 AM ET and to the public on Friday, March 26th at 11:00 AM ET.