Will others sit for ‘Still Standing’?

The documentary about Youngstown produced by Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini will get its world premiere next week at the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Some would prefer it be in Youngstown, but the CIFF date is better. Debuting at a regionally important film festival gives “Youngstown: Still Standing” a bit of cachet.

Having its world premiere in Youngstown would’ve meant no one else wanted it, and that would be bad news for Mancini, who hopes to market the film to a nationwide audience.

But then again, “Still Standing” is part of the CIFF’s Hometown Heroes category for regional films.

Which raises the question: can “Still Standing” garner any interest outside Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania?

I’ve seen the film, and it certainly is watchable. Director John Chechitelli, an Austintown native, touches on everything interesting about Youngstown and does it in a quick-paced style. It’s like a “best-of” compilation.

Another bonus is the on-screen segments with actor Ed O’Neill. The Youngstown native (and star of ABC’s “Modern Family”) shares funny stories that illustrate the city’s character ... and its characters. It’s also cool to have someone of O’Neill’s stature.

But how will the film play in Peoria? I mean, no matter how good the film is, someone who has no interest in Youngstown is probably going to pass.

One thing is certain: Mahoning Valley residents are going to love it — even if they’ve heard the stories a million times. There’s still no word on a local showing, although an invitation-only screening for those in the film will be early next week.

“Still Standing” is a colorful look at a colorful city.

It is divided into chapters: the booming steel industry and the ethnic populace that gave the city its flavor during its rollicking heyday; the mafia and political corruption; Jim Traficant; and the wildly disproportionate number of sports heroes the city has spawned.

Chechitelli uses file footage, as well as dozens of interviews with experts and townies, to tell the story.

One complaint: “Still Standing” could’ve used a more climactic finish. It ends rather abruptly and doesn’t go into much detail about the present and the future.

“Youngstown: Still Standing” will be shown at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 p.m. March 25 at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland. Mancini and Chechitelli have indicated they will attend the screening. For more information, go to clevelandfilm.org.

speaking of world premieres ...

For the second time in as many years, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will perform the world premiere of a suite of music that it commissioned.

In 2009, it was “Impressions at the Butler,” which was written by Gregory Prechel of California and inspired by the masterpieces at the Butler Institute of American Art.

On Saturday, it will be “Travel in Time for Three,” composed by Chris Brubeck, son of jazz great Dave Brubeck.

The person to thank for both premieres is Randall Craig Fleischer, the music director and conductor of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.

The well-connected Fleischer has breathed new life into the YSO since taking over three years ago. In addition to the premieres, the YSO has performed in some exciting and nontraditional collaborations — including a concert with swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Patricia Syak, director of the Youngstown Symphony Society, said Fleischer has more than lived up to her expectations.

“When we were conducting the search for the next leader, I said, ‘We need a music director, not just a conductor.’” she said. “That’s what Randall Fleischer is — a music director.”