Filmmakers from around the world will gather to showcase their art at the 14th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Fest

By Mary Malik

“It began to feel that the drama of the truth that is in the moment and in the past is richer and more interesting than the drama of Hollywood movies. So, I began looking at documentary films.” —Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker

It’s this passion for documentary filmmaking and the subjects it explores that inspired the creation of the Chagrin Documentary Film Fest (CDFF) in 2009.

David Ponce, a Chagrin Falls High School alumnus and documentary filmmaker, was in the midst of telling the story of an AIDS orphanage in South Africa when he was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2006, before he could finish the project. David’s filmmaker friends went on to complete his film, which became an award-winning documentary. After attending film festivals in support of her son’s legacy, David’s mother, Mary Ann Ponce, was inspired to start one right in their hometown of Chagrin Falls and give other filmmakers an opportunity to tell their stories. What Mary Ann didn’t foresee was how this event would grow to be what it is today—a premier festival with 83 films representing 37 countries.

Now in its 14th year, CDFF is a five-day celebration of all that documentary filmmaking represents. Though this global event has grown in size and reach, it hasn’t lost its small-town heart.

“The privilege of hosting filmmakers from around the world, presenting unique and meaningful films you won’t see anywhere else and doing it all right here in the town we love is never lost on us,” Mary Ann says. “And we think it just might be the essence of this town that’s made CDFF so successful.”

Mary Ann says that this year nearly 70 percent of the filmmakers will be in Chagrin throughout festival week, talking about their films, visiting with filmgoers and immersing themselves in this town, its people and the stories being told through film.

“Our festival and the genre itself may have grown, but the quality I saw in my son and that I see in all the filmmakers has never changed,” Mary Ann says. “There’s an almost inexplicable drive to tell the story. They don’t do this for financial gain. This is their art.”

Mary Ann understands that drive because she experienced it after David died. She needed to tell his story and help others tell theirs.

“I became obsessed,” Mary Ann says. “And my background is in finance. I had no business taking on a film festival, but I was determined it was going to be the best. And that drive came from my son.”

So, Mary Ann got to work, studied small-town film festivals and knew she was on to something right here in Chagrin Falls.

“Of course, our more than 200 volunteers and tireless staff members make it what it is, but it’s the tone this community sets throughout the week that keeps the filmmakers coming back and has put the CDFF in the top 50 of more than 14,000 festivals worldwide,” Mary Ann says. “The filmmakers love coming here. It’s such a welcoming, supportive environment and they are so appreciative. I’m always proud of Chagrin Falls, but especially during festival week. And we’re still looking for volunteers, so come out and join the fun.”

The 14th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Fest takes place Wednesday, October 4, through Sunday, October 8. For a complete schedule of films and showings, venues, tickets, online streaming of films, volunteer and CDFF membership information, check the Chagrin Documentary Film Fest website, ChagrinFilmFest.org.