Cindependent Film Festival launches summer youth filmmaking camp.

Cincinnati, OH ( Monday, July 7, 2025 ) - Cultivating the local filmmaking community is a cornerstone of Cindependent Film Festival’s mission statement, and we’re proud to announce our very first youth filmmaking camp: CindeNEXT!

CindeNEXT gives high school students the skills, tools, and confidence to turn big ideas into bold films. It’s where tomorrow’s storytellers start today. 

The two-day camp runs from 9am-4pm on July 31 and August 1 at The University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music in the Media Production Division facilities.

Each student or student team will be guided by local industry professionals to learn hands-on filmmaking techniques and produce a short film to be celebrated at a family-friendly screening at the end of the camp. Students will learn shot composition to create emotion, the basics of editing, film production roles, and more. Lunch will be provided both days. 

All final films will be featured in a Masterclass at the 2025 Cindependent Film Festival!

“As an educator and a film lover, I’m so excited to help students learn how to lead projects, make decisions, and bring creative ideas to life,” says CindeNEXT Founder Christina Hardebeck. “The skills our CindeNEXT students learn will prepare them for success in college, film careers, or any collaborative industry.”

CindeNEXT is most appropriate for ages 14-17 and costs $300 to enroll for the two-day session.

Details (including a camp schedule class breakdown) and the link to enroll can be found at cindependentfilmfest.org/cindenext

ABOUT THE CINDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

The Cindependent Film Festival is presented by CIFF, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a home for independent filmmaking in Cincinnati, Ohio. CIFF strives to bring professional resources to filmmakers so as to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of filmmaking. CIFF will provide community camaraderie, drawing filmmakers from around Ohio, the US, and the world, educating the community in the art and craft of filmmaking.

The 2025 Cindependent Film Festival is September 18, 19, and 20 at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine.

Find Cindependent here:
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Contact: Jack Crumley 513-675-6814 / Jackson McKeever 513-470-2536 or at Press@CindependentFilmFest.org

CINDEPENDENT AND OVER-THE-RHINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNITE 

Two of Cincinnati's largest independent film organizations join forces in a united effort to expand the impact of film in the city. 

Cincinnati, OH (April 9, 2026) — Two of Cincinnati's largest independent film organizations are joining forces. The Cindependent Film Festival and the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival (OTRIFF) are merging into a single, unified home for independent film in Cincinnati. Cindependent Founder Allyson West will serve as Executive Director of the combined festival, with LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled) — the nonprofit behind OTRIFF and a leading advocate for people with developmental disabilities — providing administrative and development support. 

This announcement comes amidst a string of milestones for Cindependent — including assuming stewardship of the historic Mariemont Theatre and, for the first time, having a film screened and awarded at Cindependent go on to win an Academy Award with The Singers taking home the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film last month. 

The partnership is built on shared values: the unified festival will be inclusive, accessible, and representative — reflecting both Cindependent's commitment to independent filmmakers and LADD's mission of empowering people with disabilities. The two organizations have collaborated before; this formalizes what the teams already knew worked. 

"We're so excited to officially join forces with LADD to bring a festival to Cincinnati that truly reflects our community—one that celebrates independent film while championing inclusion and accessibility at every level. This unification gives us the foundation to grow in ways that neither organization could achieve alone, and we couldn't be more excited about what's ahead." says West. 

The newly unified Cindependent Film Festival, presented with LADD, will make its debut September 17–19, 2026, at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Tickets are on sale here. 

ABOUT THE CINDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 

The Cindependent Film Festival is presented by CIFF, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a home for independent filmmaking in Cincinnati, Ohio. CIFF strives to bring professional resources to filmmakers so as to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of filmmaking. CIFF will provide community camaraderie, drawing filmmakers from around Ohio, the US, and the world, educating the community in the art and craft of filmmaking. 

The 2026 Cindependent Film Festival is September 17, 18, and 19 at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. 

Download photos, video and more in our 2026 Press Pack 

Find CFF on Facebook, Instagram and online.

Contact: Jack Crumley - 513-675-6814  / Jackson McKeever 513-470-2536  Press@CindependentFilmFest.org

FUNDRAISING GOAL FOR THE MARIEMONT THEATRE ACHIEVED!

Thanks to amazing support from the community, Cindependent can now move forward with reopening the Mariemont Theatre.

Cincinnati, OH (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Fantastic news! Because of the generous support from movie lovers throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, Cincinnati’s independent film community, organizations and businesses that care about the historic theatre on Mariemont Square, and the people of Mariemont–including kids, Cindependent is proud to announce that we’ve succeeded in raising the funds needed to close Phase I and reopen the Mariemont Theatre.

“We did it! Thank you to everyone!” says Cindependent Founder and Executive Director Allyson West. “I’m so grateful for all the support we’ve seen these last few months. I’ve had the privilege of personally talking with so many people who have movie memories of the theatre, and people who want to get the lights back on and the doors back open as much as we do. Your work matters, and now we’re ready to move forward. We’ve reached the starting line.”

Cindependent has achieved its million dollar goal to get equipment like projectors and a new audio system delivered and installed, movie houses repaired and upgraded, new screens, and A POPCORN MACHINE (which was a big concern of the community). Now, we can finalize staffing and plan the Mariemont Theatre’s grand reopening! 

“I’m so grateful for all the work done to galvanize the community and raise this support,” says Cindependent Board President Jack Crumley. “We have a tremendous team of volunteers who’ve been helping us for months and a theatre committee that has been working tirelessly. It was an amazing team effort.”

Everyone who donated to the Mariemont Theatre is eligible for a special, commemorative t-shirt that says “I Saved Movie Magic at the Mariemont Theatre.” Donors can claim their shirts at the theatre in a special giveaway on August 15 from 10am - 2pm.

“Reaching our Phase I fundraising goal is an incredible milestone, but what makes this moment truly meaningful is how we got here,” says Cindependent Board Member Cheryl Rose. “The Mariemont Theatre is reopening because our community believed in it. From generous donors who invested in its future to volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to scrub, clean, and reassemble chairs, every contribution helped bring us to this point. We are deeply grateful for the passion and commitment people have shown for this historic theater.”

Cindependent would not be where we are today without the generosity of hundreds of people in this community, and we want to give a special, public thanks to Jim Evans, The Friedlander Family Fund, Cindy Evans, Mark and Marilyn Wendling, The Village of Mariemont, Columbia-Township, The Village of Fairfax, Cheryl Rose and Jeff Chapman, Phillip Long, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, The Mariemont Preservation Society, Marcy Lewis and Dr. Steven Lewis, Laurie Johnston, Lee Carter, The Mary Emery Foundation, Doreen Stanley, David and Stephanie Zimmerman, Michaelson Homes, The Ohio Valley Foundation, Dr. Stephen Meyers, Dinsmore Compliance, Kevin Taylor, John Harder, Rachel Kirley, The B and C Family Fund, Jack E. Brown, The Hatton Foundation, Michele Carey, John M Sheperd, Marylou and John McIlwraith, Barbie Greiwe, Ron Sargent and Bob Blatt, in addition to the nearly 400 members and one-time donors who have signed up and supported this effort online. 

Keep an eye out for a separate announcement about the theatre’s reopening date. Closing out this campaign now allows us to hire staff with jobs posted through our business partner, LADD Inc. LADD has been a supportive partner through our festival merger, and continues to support our efforts to hire theatre staff in this community initiative.

“We got help from all over,” says Mariemont Mayor Bill Brown. “The thing I’m most proud of in all this work was seeing leaders in Columbia Township and Fairfax join the Village of Mariemont in stepping up to make a contribution. That’s something that helps unite multiple communities. Again, from the bottom of our hearts: thank you. We’ve seen a tremendous outpouring of support from every corner of this community, and together you've proven just how much this theatre matters.”

Reaching our $1 million goal isn't the finish line - it's the starting line. Your support made reopening possible. Now, together, we'll build a thriving home for film, education, and community for years to come.

ABOUT CINDEPENDENT

Cindependent is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by an active Board of Directors, with campaign oversight provided by a dedicated advisory group including Cheryl Rose, Jeff Chapman, Susan Brownknight, David Zimmerman, and Flavia Bastos to ensure strong stewardship and accountability.

The Cindependent Film Festival is presented by CIFF, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a home for independent filmmaking in Cincinnati, Ohio. CIFF strives to bring professional resources to filmmakers so as to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of filmmaking. CIFF will provide community camaraderie, drawing filmmakers from around Ohio, the US, and the world, educating the community in the art and craft of filmmaking.

The 2026 Cindependent Film Festival is September 16, 17, 18,19 and 20th in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Download photos, video and more in our 2026 Press Pack

Find CIFF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online at https://www.cindependentfilmfest.org/