Today is Closing Night at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Its hard to believe its almost over. As the saying goes, “time flies when you are having fun.” This 33rd year, despite the bleak economic climate, the CIFF has seen attendance records broken nearly every day and nearly met their ambitious fund raising goals as of Friday night. It makes me proud to see that many in NEO appreciate what a special event the CIFF is.

Those suburbanites who claim that going Downtown is too much of hassel obviously have not been to the CIFF. From parking to popcorn the whole experience could not run smoother -- and the arm of helpful volunteers seems to get bigger each year. The CIFF volunteers must be some of the nicest, friendliest people in NEO! And most importantly, the quality of the films has been great this year!

Too often Clevelanders look outside for solutions to our economic problems, but the CIFF is proof we have great ideas and great people right here.

If you have not made it down to Tower City or any of the other venues so far this year there are still many great films to see from approximately 9 am until 7 pm.

I can personally recommend four of the films playing today:

SCHOOL PLAY 11:15 AM

Eddie Rosenstein, USA

THE TOUR 2:15 PM

Goran Markovic, Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina

GARBAGE DREAMS 2:30 PM

Mai Iskander, Egypt, UK

THE ROAD AHEAD 4:40 PM

Ryan Wong, China, USA