2026 Film Festival

✨ 15 Years of Storytelling. One Powerful Community.

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For 15 years, the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) has been a powerful platform for storytelling, amplifying the voices of filmmakers, screenwriters, and creatives from the African Diaspora.

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What began as a local movement in Cleveland has grown into a dynamic cultural experience, bringing together artists, audiences, and industry voices to celebrate stories that inform, inspire, and connect.

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GCUFF15 was our milestone year, and you made it one to remember. From September 17–25, 2026, we filled theaters with screenings, conversations, and special guests. James Pickens Jr. joined us for Opening Night, Anne-Marie Johnson was on hand for The Addiction of Hope, and Leon joined us for Wildcards. Leon Hendrix closed out the festival, presenting MONTMARTRE and answering audience questions.

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We were also proud to partner with Sankofa on the Black Arts Expo, celebrating the artists and makers who power our culture.

 

​Thank you to everyone who watched, volunteered, sponsored, and showed up. Stay connected for festival photos, year-round events, and the first news on GCUFF16. The story continues.