CLEVELAND, I LOVE YOU -- largest-ever independent film shot in Cleveland -- renamed MADE IN CLEVELAND

CLEVELAND, Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- 1031 Films LLC, a Cleveland-based independent film production company, announces today that its landmark feature film, Cleveland, I Love You, has been retitled and rebranded to MADE IN CLEVELAND. Shot here in 2011 and 2012, MADE IN CLEVELAND—an anthology of short films created by a group of Northeast-Ohio-based filmmakers—is the largest-ever independent film project produced by a local crew. 

According to Eric Swinderman, founder of 1031 Films and a principal in the project, the film's new title better reflects the theme and spirit of the project, a collection of 11 short films that each tackle "life, love and the pursuit of happiness ... in Cleveland" in diverse ways. The change is also meant to differentiate the film from other well-known anthology film concepts, such as the "Cities of Love" franchise that includes the previously released films Paris, Je T'Aime and New York, I Love You. 

"Cleveland is a special city, with a distinctive culture and reputation, and MADE IN CLEVELAND is a reflection of those qualities," says Swinderman, who had a hand in writing, directing and editing several of the shorts. "Each of the 11 stories is told through the unique viewpoint of Clevelanders. Love, loss, success and failure—these are themes you'll see in most films, but not in the way presented in MADE IN CLEVELAND. Because the film is also the work of a large group of Cleveland-based writers, directors, cinematographers, actors and artists, MADE IN CLEVELAND is also very much a double entendre as well." 

Early in its production, MADE IN CLEVELAND attracted national attention, drawing the participation of Jamie Babbit—a Shaker Heights native who has gone on to direct the feature films But I'm a Cheerleader and The Quiet, and many television series, including The Middle, United States of Tara and Smash—as well as her writing partner, Karey Dornetto, whose screen credits include South Park and the Emmy-nominated Portlandia. Babbit and Dornetto's contribution to the film features the acting work of Busy Philipps, star of the TBS comedy Cougar Town, and Gillian Jacobs, star of the NBC comedy Community. 

Babbit is joined by award-winning Cleveland-area directors Swinderman, Robert C. Banks, Sage O'Bryant, Tony Hartman, Cigdem Slankard and Amy Tankersley Swinderman.  MADE IN CLEVELAND also stars more than 150 Cleveland-based union and non-union actors, including Cleveland icons Robin Swoboda, a news anchor with WKYC-TV; Leon Bibb, a news anchor with WEWS NewsChannel 5; and Project Runway alum and fashion designer Valerie Mayen. 

MADE IN CLEVELAND completed post-production in late 2012 and is seeking acceptance to several leading film festivals throughout 2013. 1031 Films hopes to secure a widespread distribution deal for the film sometime this year. 

"We're very eager for audiences to view this meaningful film," says Swinderman. "It represents a triumphant achievement for Cleveland filmmakers and artists, and offers something for everyone." 

For more information about MADE IN CLEVELAND, visit http://www.madeinclevelandmovie.com.

Media Contact:

Amy Tankersley Swinderman, 1031 Films, LLC, 440-503-2777, [email protected]

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SOURCE 1031 Films, LLC