Our History

From Local Beginnings to Global Screens

The inaugural festival in 2018 set the tone, with over 160 artists and 200 films and screenplays showcased at The Woodward Theater and Mini MicroCinema. Partnering with 21c Museum Hotel, Cindependent went beyond screenings—hosting city-wide filmmaker tours, four educational masterclasses, and a vibrant networking scene. With over 2,000 attendees and international submissions, the festival made an immediate impact.
A celebration of storytelling took over Main Street in OTR for three days, from August 23 to 25. Filmmakers from around the world gathered to see what an independent festival in southwest Ohio was cooking up.
Cindependent Film Festival (created in 2017) has evolved into a powerhouse of creativity, community, and cinematic innovation. More than just a festival, CCF is a movement, fueling independent storytelling, fostering artistic careers, and transforming Cincinnati into a hub for global cinema.

Expanding to four venues—including The Woodward Theater, Mini MicroCinema, Graydon on Main, and Know Theatre—Cindependent welcomed 220+ filmmakers from around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Russia, and India.
With multiple sold-out screenings and attendance surpassing 2,500, the festival was cemented as a must-attend event for indie filmmakers.
Recognized for its filmmaker-first approach, the inaugural Cindependent Film Festival was awarded a ‘Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festival’ recognition from FilmFreeway. This honor stands consistently to this day.

Cindependent didn’t stop; it reinvented.
A mobile cinema created by Allyson West and funded by ArtsWave and the Ohio Arts Council brought films directly to neighborhoods across Cincinnati, screening 25+ times in its first year.
This program expanded in 2024, even earning a spot in BLINK, Cincinnati’s legendary street and light installation.
The festival launched Cindependent & Chill, a virtual subscription program that kept artists employed and audiences engaged with 11 months of curated indie film content. Screenwriters were also in the spotlight, with live virtual screenplay readings bringing scripts to life with professional performers.

Cindependent was back in full force at Memorial Hall, proving once again why it’s a trailblazer in the indie film scene. Then came 2024 - a landmark year for the festival:
Continuing to break boundaries, Reels on Wheels became a featured exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Center of Cincinnati in 2024 - a testament to Cindependent’s creative impact beyond the festival.

Cindependent returned to Cincinnati September 18–20, 2025, transforming Memorial Hall into a vibrant hub for independent film and creative collaboration.
The festival’s programming reached new heights, offering bigger, bolder, and more groundbreaking selections than ever before. Audiences experienced a lineup that challenged convention and celebrated innovation in storytelling.
From emerging filmmakers to passionate cinephiles and industry trailblazers, Cindependent continues to be the place where indie film thrives, evolves, and inspires.

“Indie films are the real deal.They come from sheer willpower and problem solving. They’re made by people with a dream and a drive to tell a story. “

Jack Crumley Board President/Press Director