The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival 2017 Opens with Love

Cleveland, Ohio is booming -- trendy city amenities and mid-west comforts.  We enjoy an "Emerald Necklace" of Metroparks, delicious culinary cuisine, and a thriving Arts & Culture scene. 

At one of the city's most beautiful times of year, The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) launches it's 6th annual event, September 21 to September 29, 2017.  Most films will show at the Shaker Square Cinema; movie lovers can take in a show, dine and participate in other GCUFF festivities on the square*.  

It's going to be 9 amazing days of films, industry networking, dining, panel discussions, parties, and connecting with really cool people. 

Aspiring actors can compete in the monologue competition, and art lovers can take in and buy compelling art work at the A Beautiful Burden art exhibition by Donald Black, Jr..

Movie lovers and fans are encouraged to take several days to join in on the fun.  All Access Passes get you into just about every film, party, and panel discussion (excludes children and student film series).  They're available at the low price of $150, or if you prefer, you can purchase individual passes too.  Click here to buy yours today!  

The Opening Night film feature is Love by Chance, a hilarious comedy written and directed by Samad Davis; and starring Clifton Powell, Terri J. Vaughn, and E. Roger Mitchell.  Watch the official trailer here.

Get excited about what's to come at the GCUFF 2017!  Download the free GCUFF app and browse the films and events schedule so that you can plan your experience.  Click here for the AppStore, and here for GooglePlay.

Cleveland, Ohio is quite beautiful in the fall with all it's bounty of foliage, transforming in an autumn array of oranges, burgundies, and golds.  Kick off the season by taking a little holiday with The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival.  To help you out, we came up with a few suggestions on how to easily fit GCUFF into your schedule:

1)  All In:  Take a 9-day vacation (staycay if you live in the city) to enjoy GCUFF movies and happenings each day.  Save when you get an All Access Pass! 
2)  Celebrate 6 Years:  Make it an extended weekend, (Thurs. - Sun.) and help GCUFF celebrate the launch of their 6th year, with Opening Night festivities, Films, the Launch Party, Panel Discussions, Dining, and more! 
3)  Weekend Retreat:  Plan to enjoy the entire weekend (Fri - Sun) at the GCUFF. 
4)  Dinner and a movie:  Break up the daily grind; take a day or 2, and join us at Shaker Square after work!
5)  Combination Duo:  Combine Options 2 & 4, or Options 3 & 4.

Book your stay at a hotel near Shaker Square Cinemas.

To give you an idea of what to expect, at last year's GCUFF fans mixed and mingled with people in the media and film industry like:  Mel Jackson, Denise Boutte, industry leaders of BET, Bounce TV, and Enchant TV, members of Parliament Funkadelic, the Legendary Jim Brown, and many more. Movie lovers, aspiring actors, filmmakers, and other industry professionals were able to connect, learn from one another, and hang out.  So, word of advice, it's best to be prepared; here are things you need to be #GCUFFREADY:

- Download the GCUFF app

- Your camera (or phone)

- Your smartphone & charger

- Selfie stick

- Notebook/pencil

- Cash

- Your smile & positive attitude

You're welcome!  

Fans are encouraged to show their GCUFF love.  Snap photos and share on your social media accounts with hashtags: #gcuff #gcuff6 #gcuffready #thisiscle .  (Why yes, feel free to cut and paste them into your smartphone notepad for safe keeping & to save time when posting.  ;-)  )

GCUFF 2016 #GCUFFREADY

Get social with GCUFF for exclusives!  Follow them here: 

Facebook: @gcuffcleveland
Twitter: @gcuff
Instagram: @urbanfilmcle
Google+:  @gcuff

GCUFF.org

See you at the movies!

- T. James-Sykes


*Check film and event schedule to verify location & times