About Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation

GREATER CLEVELAND URBAN FILM FOUNDATION ASPIRATIONS
Provide a platform for talented and unique independent filmmakers to showcase their work
Provide educational opportunities that encourages and inspires those who are interested in pursuing a career in the film industry. Foster a deeper appreciation for the arts.

The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation board of directors consist of community minded people and business leaders dedicated to the preservation, promotion and marketing of the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation programs as well as providing year round activities focusing on the film industry.

GREATER CLEVELAND URBAN FILM FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival GCUFF Youth Film Program.

GREATER CLEVELAND URBAN FILM FESTIVAL
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival was created with the artistic vision to present and expose the work of emerging talents and established artists who are contributing to the cinematic legacy as well as celebrating urban culture. GCUFF showcases minority films, which reinforces positive images and dispesl negative stereotypes. The film festival provides a forum for the work of diverse filmmakers to be viewed and discussed. In addition to its cinematic showcases, GCUFF nurtures its attendees in a variety of disciplines, offering panel discussions, workshops and symposiums.
A portion of the film festival is dedicated to Greater Cleveland area youth by showcasing films and panel discussions that allow them to learn the craft and respond to the film subject manner in a healthy, confident and empowered manner.

YOUTH FILM PROGRAM
The GCUFF Youth Film Program goal is to teach a group of 5-12 teenage students the process of taking a film from script to screen like a professional and to showcase the talent of local youth in our community. With the help and assistance of experienced filmmakers, the students will write a screenplay and produce a short film or documentary which will be shown at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival. We will also submit the film/documentary to other film festivals with the hopes of inspiring more teens to get involve in film industry. The Youth Film Program is currently housed at the East Cleveland Public Library on Saturdays from October to June.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
1 – To expose our youth to the opportunities in the film industry
2 – To teach our youth how to produce a short film or documentary
3 – To impart practical hands on training in a variety of film related careers
4 – To make it fun to learn
5 – To expose youth to the creative filmmaking process in a unique setting
6 – To provide a vehicle for professionals in the region to mentor kids (corporate volunteers)
7 – To impact the marketing efforts of companies as they try to attract our youth to the art of film production

PROGRAM GOALS
Provide an “out of school” opportunity to learn the art of script and film production
Increase the number of youth who participate in the program.
Put infrastructure in place to take the students’ projects to film festivals or place them in an “idea bank” for future development.
Enable participating students to write, direct, produce, and edit a short film, commercial, music video or documentary
Track the progress of all participating students by points earned, assignment completion, attendance, report cards, how many return to volunteer, and how many choose a course of study in the film industry.

MISSION STATEMENT
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and celebration of the African American cinema, fostering a deeper appreciation of the arts and providing educational opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in the film industry.

GREATER CLEVELAND URBAN FILM FESTIVAL
The mission of the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival is to create a memorable social experience that uplift consciousness through the visual arts.