by Sinead Cox | Apr 10, 2026
SILVER SCREAMERS (2025)
Scroll to the bottom for tickets. June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario! Enjoy a screening of the film and talkback with filmmaker Sean Cisterna about the process of working with a film crew of senior citizens learning on the job.
Silver Screamers is a heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary that follows a group of spirited senior citizens as they embark on an extraordinary adventure far outside their comfort zones: creating a horror film. In a quaint retirement community, a diverse group of retirees ranging from former teachers to puppeteers find themselves yearning for excitement and creative expression in their golden years.
Led by a local filmmaker in their community, the seniors pool their talents and resources to produce “The Rug,” a short horror film that will defy expectations and challenge stereotypes. As they dive into the world of filmmaking, they encounter unexpected obstacles and hilariously unforgettable moments. From mastering special effects on a shoestring budget to navigating the complexities of on-set drama, each step of their journey is filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a few hair-raising surprises. But Silver Screamers is more than just a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a a movie. It’s a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the timeless power of creativity.
The screening will be followed by talkback with filmmaker Sean Cisterna, a multi award-winning and versatile film director. His films included the documentary The Long Rider (2022), From the Vine (2020) and Full Out (2015). Cisterna was awarded a Canada 150 Citizenship Award by the Federal Government for his dedication to and community engagement in the arts, as well as a King Charles III Coronation Medal to recognize significant contributions to the country and its communities, or outstanding achievements abroad that bring credit to Canada.
Screenings at 2pm and 6:30 pm.
Are you a museum member? Call or email the museum to reserve your ticket for FREE while space remains.
More about the film from the Toronto Star:
Working on “The Rug”…provided its participants with both purpose and pals, two things that often feel out of reach for many seniors struggling with isolation and ennui, turning “Silver Screamers” into a moving (and often funny) ode to the power of abandoning your comfort zone and forging both community and new skills.
One of Cisterna’s favourite days on set was when 80-year-old SFX coordinator David Swift came up with the winning idea of how to make the murderous rug’s moves look seamless: have a kid do it. That is what he’ll take away from the film, Cisterna says: ‘No matter how old you are, you have a story to tell and you have this creative wisdom and experience to give.'”
by Sinead Cox | Apr 10, 2026
SILVER SCREAMERS (2025)
Scroll to the bottom for tickets. June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario! Enjoy a screening of the film and talkback with filmmaker Sean Cisterna about the process of working with a film crew of senior citizens learning on the job.
Silver Screamers is a heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary that follows a group of spirited senior citizens as they embark on an extraordinary adventure far outside their comfort zones: creating a horror film. In a quaint retirement community, a diverse group of retirees ranging from former teachers to puppeteers find themselves yearning for excitement and creative expression in their golden years.
Led by a local filmmaker in their community, the seniors pool their talents and resources to produce “The Rug,” a short horror film that will defy expectations and challenge stereotypes. As they dive into the world of filmmaking, they encounter unexpected obstacles and hilariously unforgettable moments. From mastering special effects on a shoestring budget to navigating the complexities of on-set drama, each step of their journey is filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a few hair-raising surprises. But Silver Screamers is more than just a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a a movie. It’s a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the timeless power of creativity.
The screening will be followed by talkback with filmmaker Sean Cisterna, a multi award-winning and versatile film director. His films included the documentary The Long Rider (2022), From the Vine (2020) and Full Out (2015). Cisterna was awarded a Canada 150 Citizenship Award by the Federal Government for his dedication to and community engagement in the arts, as well as a King Charles III Coronation Medal to recognize significant contributions to the country and its communities, or outstanding achievements abroad that bring credit to Canada.
Screenings at 2pm and 6:30 pm.
Are you a museum member? Call or email the museum to reserve your ticket for FREE while space remains.
More about the film from the Toronto Star:
Working on “The Rug”…provided its participants with both purpose and pals, two things that often feel out of reach for many seniors struggling with isolation and ennui, turning “Silver Screamers” into a moving (and often funny) ode to the power of abandoning your comfort zone and forging both community and new skills.
One of Cisterna’s favourite days on set was when 80-year-old SFX coordinator David Swift came up with the winning idea of how to make the murderous rug’s moves look seamless: have a kid do it. That is what he’ll take away from the film, Cisterna says: ‘No matter how old you are, you have a story to tell and you have this creative wisdom and experience to give.'”
by Sinead Cox | Oct 21, 2025
Join us for a screening of the film LETTER TO MY TRIBE, followed by a Q&A and discussion with filmmaker b.h. Yael.
“Letter to My Tribe started with a question: Why do more Jews and Israelis not speak out about Palestine? Over many years my mother, who represents a more messianic perspective, and I have had numerous arguments, some recorded, some not. These form the backbone of this video essay in which Israelis and Jews, journalists, activists and a rabbi are interviewed, and in which documentation of actions on the ground are woven with more personal family histories and journeys to Iraq and to Poland.”
Screenings at 2pm or 7pm. Runtime 97 minutes. Language: English, translated Hebrew and Arabic.
Coffee and light refreshments will be available while they last!
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: b.h. Yael is a Toronto based filmmaker and installation artist. Yael’s films have exhibited nationally and internationally, and have shown in various settings, from festivals to galleries to community and activist groups, as well as at various educational venues. She is a recipient of numerous arts grants and awards. Yael’s work deals with the many intersections of identity and family; it has focused on activist initiatives in Palestine/Israel, as well as apocalypse, geopolitical and environmental urgencies. A book about her work, Family States, released in 2021, edited by Mike Hoolboom and published by ConverSalon is available for download at www.bhyael.ca Her films are distributed by Vtape and the b.h. Yael collection streams online through Cinema Politica. Yael is Professor of Integrated Media at OCAD University, where she co-programs Art Creates Change, an arts and media lecture series.
This event is FREE to attend. If you would like to donate to the museum, you can do so using our donation box or at the front desk. Seating in the theatre is limited and not assigned.
Silver Screamers is a heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary that follows a group of spirited senior citizens as they embark on an extraordinary adventure far outside their comfort zones: creating a horror film. In a quaint retirement community, a diverse group of retirees ranging from former teachers to puppeteers find themselves yearning for excitement and creative expression in their golden years.
More about the film from the Toronto Star: