CMU Film Festival Brings Cinema to Peoples’ Homes

The CMU International Film Festival is starting back up this month with a new and safe way to allow the community to experience world cinema

The Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival announced today the continuation of their annual festival. In response to the ongoing pandemic, the event is changing to a virtual setting and reconstructing the festival to take place between October until May 2021. Each month will feature 1–2 selected films the audience can stream from their homes and be followed with a live Q&A session with the film maker and guest speakers. The new format will bring impactful films focusing on global issues to the community in a convenient and safe way. 

“In these trying times when so many of us feel isolated, film continues to create a connection. We hope the films we show can offer a way for viewers to continue watching meaningful cinema that can create change and bring up important discussions of challenges that affect us as a society,” said Jolanta Lion, Director of the CMU IFF.

The festival team has created the event to be an opportunity for anyone who would like to simulate a “real” festival experience in the comfort of their own home. The first film to be screen will be “Push,” a Swedish film directed by Fredrik Gertten. The film investigates the issues of why housing should be treated as a human right and not the pursuit of private profit. The film is available starting  from now  – Nov. 1 with a live discussion with Leilani Farha on Oct 29.

Visit CMU IFF for additional information and imagery.

About CMU IFF

The Carnegie Mellon International “Faces” Film Festival was created in 2006 and is a project of the Humanities Center at CMU. The festival prides itself in being the only international film festival organized and run by university students from across Pittsburgh. The films showcased focus on current and global social issues that create meaningful dialogue for the broader Pittsburgh community.

This event is presented in conjunction with the following organizations: Pitt's Global Studies Center, the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, the University Human Rights Working Group, and the Student Task Force. The screening of "Push" is supported by CMU's Student Dormitory Council and Pitt's Sociology Department.

Sponsors include: The Humanities Center, The Dietrich College Humanities Scholars Program, CMU Center for the Arts in Society, CMU Graduate Student Assembly, The CMU Office of the Provost, The Student Dormitory Council, CMU English, University of Pittsburgh Film and Media Studies, CMU School of Art, Carlow University, Feminists Engaged in Multicultural Matters and Education, CMU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, The Center for Africanamerican Urban Studies and the Economy, The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Asian Studies Center, The University of Pittsburgh Department of German, The University of Pittsburgh Jewish Studies Program, Highmark, Armina Stone, Dr. Owen Cantor, Forge, Moderna Relocation, Pinstant, University of Pittsburgh Urban Studies Program, CMU Department of Modern Languages, Pittsburgh Humanities Festival, Screenshot Asian Film Fest, Bosnian Herzegovinian Film Festival, International Student Union, Latino/a Graduate Student Association, WESA, WYEP, WPTS, Harris Theater, Row House Cinema, Tana Ethiopian Cuisine, The Columbian Spot, Einhorn Media Group, Center for Creativity, CMU Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion