Medina Filmmaker's Short Film to Screen at Cleveland Film Fest

Local director's work selected for prestigious 50th annual festival

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:00am

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A minimalist, abstract illustration using bold black silhouettes and high-contrast solid colors to conceptually represent the themes of a heist film without any literal imagery.A local filmmaker's short film about a group of friends attempting a heist has been selected to screen at the prestigious Cleveland International Film Festival.Medina Today

A short film by a filmmaker from Medina, Ohio has been chosen to screen at the 50th annual Cleveland International Film Festival. The 15-minute film, titled "Heisting," will be featured as part of the festival's Local Heroes Shorts - Program 3 on Thursday.

Why it matters

The Cleveland International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious regional film festivals in the country, attracting thousands of submissions each year. Having a short film selected to screen at the festival is a major accomplishment for an up-and-coming local director, providing valuable exposure and recognition within the filmmaking community.

The details

"Heisting" is a 15-minute short film written and directed by 28-year-old Medina resident Alex Ramirez. The film follows a group of friends who attempt to pull off a heist, exploring themes of loyalty, risk-taking, and the consequences of criminal behavior. Ramirez's film was selected from hundreds of submissions to be included in the festival's Local Heroes Shorts - Program 3, which showcases work by filmmakers from Ohio and the surrounding region.

  • The 50th annual Cleveland International Film Festival runs from April 10-20, 2026.
  • "Heisting" will screen as part of Local Heroes Shorts - Program 3 on Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 PM.

The players

Alex Ramirez

A 28-year-old filmmaker from Medina, Ohio who wrote and directed the short film "Heisting."

Cleveland International Film Festival

One of the most prestigious regional film festivals in the United States, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I'm honored and humbled to have my film selected for the Cleveland International Film Festival. This is a dream come true and a huge milestone in my career as a filmmaker.”

— Alex Ramirez, Director, "Heisting"

What’s next

Ramirez and the cast and crew of "Heisting" will attend the screening on April 17 and participate in a Q&A session with the audience following the film.

The takeaway

The selection of a short film by a Medina-based filmmaker for the prestigious Cleveland International Film Festival demonstrates the depth of local creative talent and the festival's commitment to showcasing the work of emerging regional filmmakers.