Just a quick note to let you all know we look forward to seeing you in Cleveland next March!!

We’re so very excited to have been invited to submit and screen our film at the 36th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival, and their organizers could not be nicer.

This is the first festival we’re attending where our travel and accomodations are being covered by the festival, thanks in large part to CIFF being the sole recipient in 2011 of a multi-year grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for its Focus on Filmmakers program.

From CIFF’s website:

CIFF Executive Director Marcie Goodman stated, “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ ® generous support of the CIFF is one of the greatest honors in the history of our organization. With the Academy’s® funding, FOCUS ON FILMMAKERS will enable us to provide increased screening access to minority and less visible filmmakers. It will also give us the opportunity to deepen our involvement with these artists’ communities, thereby bringing the public into contact with films and filmmakers for meaningful dialogue and interaction.”

The Focus of Filmmakers program will allow the CIFF to emphasize African American filmmakers in 2012, Latino filmmakers in 2013, and LGBT filmmakers in 2014 (the same year that the Gay Games are being held in Cleveland).

A LOT LIKE YOU will be screening as part of their Standing Up Competition – a competition that features films “with a conscience” and awards the winner a cash prize of $5000.

As my Dad would say, it’s time to “Stand Up and Be Counted!”

What a fabulous way to enter 2012. ..

Happy New Year, everyone!