The Cleveland Italian Film Festival 2019 showcasing award-winning films from Italy opens Sept. 5-26 at the Cedar Lee Theater in Cleveland Heights, the Atlas Cinemas Eastgate in Mayfield Hts. and the Capitol Theatre in Gordon Square Arts District. All films ($10) are Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Pre-film dinners are Sept. 5, 12, 19, and 26, 5:30-7 p.m. Film/Dinner combo is $30 which includes tax, gratuity and coffee/soft drink.

The Kickoff Dinner for the Cleveland Italian Film Festival 2019 with the acclaimed Michelin starred Chef Dante Boccuzzi highlighting the cuisine of Venice, Italy is on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. Pranzo Veneziano is $115 pp (includes wine with each course, gratuity & tax), $55 tax deductible. Free valet Parking. For reservations: 216-456-8117.