SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Sept. 12, 2020.
The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) is kicking off its nine-day event celebrating Black film, life and culture Thursday night.
A total of 85 films will be shown at the festival, which runs from Sept. 15-23. All film viewings will be held at Atlas Cinemas at Shaker Square in Shaker Heights.
On Thursday, the opening events will begin with actress LisaRaye McCoy and 3News' Danielle Wiggins. The ceremony will start at 6 p.m. at the Breen Center, and Wiggins will host a conversation at 7:15 p.m.
“We are very excited to have Ms. McCoy with us as we share 85 films, and a number of workshops and activities for filmmakers and film lovers,” said Donna Dabbs, GCUFF’s Executive Director. “GCUFF has always been about the experience. The experience for moviegoers, filmmakers and those who play a role in every aspect of telling our stories.”
Tickets can be purchased online HERE or at the box office. Individuals can also buy a virtual pass for $75 to watch the films online.
VIP All Access passes will also be available for $150, which includes access to opening and closing night/awards ceremony, as well as all other events.
The 11th GCUFF will have a theme of "Black to the Future," focusing on "Afrofuturism," which is "an exploration of the many innovative ideas expressed through our films spanning animation, documentary, and genre spectacle with exuberant visions of Black creativity, resistance, and freedom combining elements of science fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, and fantasy," according to event officials in a press release.
Sample trailers for the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival can be watched below:
A full list of all the movies being shown at GCUFF can be found HERE.