PEP Partners with 46th Cleveland International Film Festival

Discounted Tickets

PEP is proud to serve as a community partner for the 46th annual Cleveland International Film Festival. This partnership enables PEP to offer discounted tickets for either in-person showings at Playhouse Square or for streams. The discount applies to PEP’s sponsored film, Messwood, as well as all other films (except those shown on opening night). PEP’s discount code is “PEP.” Information on redeeming your discount tickets can be found here.

46th Cleveland Film Festival Dates

The 46th Cleveland International Film Festival returns to in-person viewing this year. Screenings will take place in CIFF’s new home in Playhouse Square. The festival runs from March 30 through April 9. Streams are available from April 10 through April 17. Tickets go on sale on March 18.

PEP’s Sponsored Film

Football players were dwindling for teams at Milwaukee’s Messmer (urban and predominately Black) and Shorewood (affluent and largely white) high schools. To give boys the opportunity to play, the communities decided to merge their rosters and form the Messwood football team. As the Messwood Greyhounds enter a rebuilding season after losing a strong senior class, the growing pains are evident on and off the field. While Coach Davis aims to primarily use football to teach commitment and discipline, the stark differences between the challenging home lives and opportunities afforded to his Black and white players are impossible to ignore.

Beyond game film and two-minute drills, the coaching staff must create a support system to keep players eligible academically and motivated to know they are worth more than their segregated streets. The engaging documentary MESSWOOD explores the powerful role of high school sports, racial divides among parents versus their children, and how we still have a long way to go before we’re truly playing on the same team. —A.B.

In-person Screenings for Messwood:

  • Saturday, April 2 at 4:45 PM at Connor Place
  • Sunday, April 3 at 2:15 PM at Connor Place

On-Demand Streams for Messwood:

  • Sunday, April 10 at 11 AM through Sunday, April 17 at 11:59 PM