Our History
From Local Beginnings to Global Screens
Cindependent Film Festival:
A Bold Celebration of Indie Film
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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.
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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.
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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.
Rising Momentum & Industry Recognition
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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.
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With multiple sold-out screenings and attendance surpassing 2,500, the festival was cemented as a must-attend event for indie filmmakers.
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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.
Adapting & Innovating
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Cindependent didn’t stop; it reinvented.
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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.
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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.
The Festival Returns, Bigger Than Ever
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In 2023, Cindependent was back in full force at Memorial Hall, proving once again why it’s a trailblazer in the indie film scene.
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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.
Reel Moments, Real Impact
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Cindependent returned to Cincinnati September 18–20, 2025, transforming Memorial Hall into a vibrant hub for independent film and creative collaboration.
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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.
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From emerging filmmakers to passionate cinephiles and industry trailblazers, Cindependent continues to be the place where indie film thrives, evolves, and inspires.
Awards & Recognitions
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Past Winners:
Le Charade (2024)
Embodied (2025)
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Past Winners:
The Liberty (2018)
Treacle (2019)
The Violinist (2023)
Gone Before Your Eyes (2024)
The Singers (2025)
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Past Winners:
We Want A (2023)
SPLAT (2024)
Desired (2025)
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Past Winners:
Ainhoa (2018)
Aapke Aa Jane Se (2019)
Echoing, It Doesn't Stop (2023)
Sister Wives (2024)
Let's Wait a Little Longer (2025)
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Past Winners:
Margaret and the Moon (2018)
The Spirit Seam (2019)
City Bird (2023)
The Great Davini (2024)
Down Safe (2025)
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Past Winners:
Wink (2018)
White Guys Solve Sexism (2019)
Falling Up (2023)
Rerun (2024)
Ring Ring (2025)
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Past Winners:
Summer (2018)
Write Me (2019)
BREAK (2023)
You Can Go Home Whenever You Want (2024)
Belief (2025)
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Past Winners:
Essentially Alys (2018)
The Orchestra (2019)
Who's Annie (2023)
Hand Job (2024)
We Are Always Hiding (2025)
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Past Winners:
Good White People (2018)
The Other Border (2019)
Life in Tandem (2023)
Dear Watsonville (2024)
A Girl Takes a Walk in the Forest (2025)
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Past Winners:
Among Other Things (2018)
The German King (2019)
Sheltered (2023)
Devouring Stones Up Close (2024)
Be Home Before the Streetlights (2025)
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Past Winners:
The Enlightenment (2024)
lo que queda (2025)
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Past Winners:
Shane Dean Any Wednesday (2018)
Dharon Jones Champions (2019)
Dante Donaldson Attrition (2023)
Matt Foss Lone Wolves (2024)
Denzel Whitaker Brand New (2025)
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Past Winners:
Margarita Levieva Julianne (2018)
Elisa Croft Suncatcher (2019)
Janice Theard Archive & the Storyteller (2023)
Samantha Sloyan Good Daughter (2024)
Jenifer Lewis ADO (2025)
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Past Winners:
Zach Bandler The Lightkeeper (2018)
Trevor Morgan Ten Hours (2019)
Josh Nowak Night Cafe (2023)
Caroline Creaghead Relationship to Patient (2024)
Sam Davis The Singers (2025)
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Past Winners:
No Running in the Halls (2024)
Hand on Camera (2025)
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Past Winners:
Brown Boy (2024)
Neches (2025)
Jack Crumley Board President/Press Director