I’ve gotten to know some of the people involved with CIFF, including two very good friends. A lot of hard work goes into this year-round to make it truly a quality fest that so many have to come to enjoy each spring. We are happy to support these events to help make sure CIFF continues to grow.

Here is a bit more detail on the food-focused events (as shared with me).  We’re going to Food for Thought.

Children of the Corn // Saturday, October 3, 2009 / 9:00 am

$50 per guest / limit 25 guests

What better way to enjoy a fall morning than by taking a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the best markets around? We’ll start at the North Union Farmers Market (NUFM) on Shaker Square as Donita Anderson, Executive Director of NUFM, guides us on a tour where we’ll meet the vendors and learn more about the benefits of the “from farm to plate” philosophy. After touring the market, we’ll head over to Sergio’s Saravá for brunch and discuss the impact local farming has on our health, community, and environment.

Cookie Jar // Saturday, November 21, 2009 / 2:00 pm

$25 per guest / limit 30 guests

Jump-start your holiday season at this family-friendly Film Feast. Bring the kids and listen in as Chef Bob Sferra shares tasty tips on cookie decorating. Then we’ll really get our holiday spirit spinning at Sur la Table as Chef Bob shows us how to create a gift that the kids will love to make and one that will prove to be good ’til the last bite.

Food for Thought // Tuesday, February 9, 2010 / 7:00 pm

$50 per guest / limit 75 people

Join us as food critic Laura Taxel brings together some of her favorite chefs in the city to present us with some of their most delectable dishes. Meet us at Taxel Image Studios and view Barney Taxel’s beautiful photography as we discuss food, friends, and favorite films with some of Cleveland’s finest chefs.

Tokyo!
directed by Bong Joon-Ho, Michel Gondry, Leos Carax
Sunday, March 22nd 12:00 AM (Saturday midnight screening)
Sunday, March 22nd 1:50 PM

It’s Not Me, I Swear
Friday, March 20 6:50 PM
Sunday, March 22 9:15 AM
Monday, March 23 11:30 AM

The Way We Get By
directed by Aron Gaudet
Tuesday, March 24 2:00 PM
Wednesday, March 25 7:15 PM

Art & Copy
directed by Doug Pray, financed by The One Club
Friday, March 27 2:15 PM
Saturday, March 28 7:15 PM

Prodigal Sons
directed by Kimberly Reed
Thursday, March 26 9:30 PM
Saturday, March 28 4:20 PM

Sparrow
directed by Johnnie To
Wednesday, March 25 12:10 PM
Friday, March 27 2:10 PM
Saturday, March 28 10:00 PM

Scenarios USA Shorts Program
Misunderstood, Bitter Memories, MANchild
directed by Rawson Thurber (Dodgeball), shot by Lee Daniel (Before Sunrise), Line Produced by Kate O’Neil (Authentic Films)
Monday, March 23 7:00 PM

The Garden
directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Friday, March 27 6:45 PM
Saturday, March 28 11:10 AM

At the Edge of the World
directed by Dan Stone
Friday, March 20, 6:45 PM
Saturday, March 21 11:00 AM

Kassim the Dream
directed by Kief Davidson
Saturday, March 28 2:20 PM
Sunday, March 29 4:45 PM

Dinner and a movie – a great night out and an even better way to support Cleveland.

The movie was Then She Found Me, based on the book by Elinor Lipman. The impressive cast included Helen Hunt (who also directed it), Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler and Colin Firth, who happens to be one of my favorite actors.

I absolutely loved this movie – and I’m not even a Helen Hunt fan! It was funny, touching, well-written and the acting was top-notch. If you have the opportunity to see this indie flick, definitely try to – it’s surprisingly good and worth your time. Prior to last night, I admit I wasn’t familiar with the author. But after seeing this movie, I’d definitely like to learn more about her other books.

The film fest, which takes place at Tower City, goes until March 16.