Screen Time

Blood Brother

Before its 20th anniversary, the Ohio Independent Film Festival was tucked into art galleries, community theaters and music halls. This year, the Nov. 7 -10 lineup of short and feature films finds its rightful home in a movie theater – Euclid’s Atlas Cinemas. "We started initially because there was no place to show locally made films, and filmmaking 20 years ago in Cleveland was virtually nonexistent," says artistic director Bernadette Gillotta. Twenty years later, Gillotta and her board continue to curate this annual collection of little-known films they wish could get more attention. Gillotta highlights three films to see.

Blood Brother

Nov. 7, 6 p.m.

This Sundance Film Festival winner tells the story of Rocky Braat, a Geneva-on-the-Lake native who finds his heart drawn to a group of children living with HIV and AIDS after he passes through their orphanage in India. The documentary explores Braat’s journey of letting go of his life in America and creating a new one with these children in India, whom he loves deeply. “It’s heartfelt,” says Gillotta. “I’m hoping that [the film] has helped Rocky build on what he’s trying to accomplish there with these kids.”

Losing LeBron

Nov. 8, 6 p.m.

The impact of LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat was emotional to say the least. Two filmmakers explore how fans and their families were affected by his move, what James meant to this city and how the community is redefining itself in light of The Decision. “It's well done. It's interesting. It's from a fan's perspective," Gilotta says.

Broken Side of Time

Nov. 9, Noon

“This is a tough film,” says Gillotta of the movie about an Internet model’s quest to figure out her next step. “She’s had this life online, which is so pertinent to our existence today, and she is looking for something else, something more.” Not only is Gillotta intrigued by the exploration of the Internet’s impact on our lives, but she also describes the film as visually stunning.

To purchase tickets and view the list of films showing this weekend, visit  atlascinemas.net/2013OIFF.aspx or call 216-926-6166.