The Ohio Independent Film Festival was founded in 1993 by filmmakers looking for venues for independent work, particularly independent work from filmmakers who are not YET commercially successful.
Originally called the Off-Hollywood Flick Fest, the event gained followers by offering audiences truly independent films they wouldn’t ordinarily see: films that have not been picked up for theatrical distribution. The Ohio Independent Film Festival is dedicated to freedom of expression through independent media and is programmed 100% from submissions.
In 2016, the Ohio Independent Film Festival debuted the “One Night Only” event in which only the top features of any genre and top short films were selected for screening. This year, the One Night Only event will be held on Saturday, November 3 at The Bop Stop.
History of Independent Pictures
1993 – 1994: Organization designed as alternative film festival under the name Off-Hollywood Flick Fest. First festival held and exhibited only Cleveland based artists.
1996:
• Incorporation and non profit status acquired
• Introduction of Panel Discussions Program and adopts the name Ohio Independent Film Festival. Instituted formal call for entries process and received films from all over the world.
1997:
• Inaugural screenplay competition
• Inaugural Film Production Internship Program (the first educational program in Northeast Ohio where participants learn about making movies in a real-world, professional environment)
• Introduction of our Fiscal Agent Sponsorship Program
• Partnership with the NYC-based Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers to produce AIVF Salons
• Inaugural Off-Hollywood Oscarz, independent film awards
1998: Inaugural Film Market with Big Film Shorts – a Burbank Ca. based company that distributes short films 2000: Inaugural concurrent online film festival with AlwaysI.com
2002: After an intensive planning process, organization name was formally changed to Independent Pictures.
2004: Collaboration with Cleveland State University on short script contest and Film Production Training Program
2005 – 2007: Continuation of organizations programs including film festival, workshops, and script contest 2008: Grant funded Film Production Internship Program to train adults
2014: Bernadette Gillota, Independent Pictures’ sole remaining founder, steps down to pursue personal film projects. Board restructure process involves scaling down the original multi-day Ohio Independent Film Festival event to a one-day event appropriately titled, One Night Only.
2016: The first One Night Only event is held
2017: One Night Only event was held on Friday, November 3
2018: One Night Only event was held on Saturday, November 3, with a pre-festival Networking Party the evening before
Therese Grida, Board President
Therese has been involved with Independent Pictures since 2008 when she started volunteering for the organization as part of a course requirement. Her dedication to the organization quickly became apparent and 2009 she was asked to join the Board; she was voted President shortly thereafter.
Therese holds a BFA from Ohio University with a major in Art Therapy and a Certificate of Arts Management from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Therese has experience in all aspects of planning programs and events for all ages of the community, as well as experience in fundraising, grant writing and non-profit management.
David Shimp, Vice President
David is cofounder and owner of GhostLight Productions, LLC, a full service Event Producer. David’s almost four decades-long career in the production industry has him working primarily with non-profit organizations. In the span of the eleven year existence of GhostLight Productions, they have helped raise over $10 million dollars for their clients.
David is a film enthusiast who is also instrumental in producing events for Independent Pictures, including One Night Only. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League.
Mike Suglio
Mike is a Cleveland native and filmmaker. He attended Case Western Reserve University where he studied theatre, political science, and psychology as an undergrad and then continued on to receive his M.B.A. During his time at CWRU, Mike directed a feature length documentary, The Struggle for Existence, a film that explores how the Cleveland Natural History Museum and the Creation Museum approach science. He continued on to direct several other short films, including his most recent, A Tribute to the Fallen, which was shot on location in Negros Oriental, Philippines. Mike is also an instructor of film at Cleveland State University and creator of the Short. Sweet. Film Fest.
Madison Alley Craft
Mady is a recent graduate of the BGSU Film School and is eager to bring her film school experience back to the Cleveland filmmaking network and the OIFF.
Independent Pictures is seeking qualified candidates for their Board of DirectorsDo you have a love of film and a background in fundraising, marketing, professional services, or nonprofit/arts management? Then you may be who we’re looking for! Board members are responsible for raising money, marketing, and helping to guide the operations of Independent Pictures and the Ohio Independent Film Festival. If this sounds like something you’d be a fit for, email a letter of interest to [email protected] to request more information. |