Silver Screamers screens at Artsplace in Annapolis Royal

Artsplace Film will present the heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary Silver Screamers on Tuesday, July 14. Directed by Sean Cisterna, the film follows a group of seniors who set out to make a horror film in their retirement community. What begins as an unexpected creative undertaking becomes a story about friendship, perseverance, and the desire to [...]

Directed by Sean Cisterna, the film follows a group of seniors who set out to make a horror film in their retirement community. What begins as an unexpected creative undertaking becomes a story about friendship, perseverance, and the desire to keep exploring new possibilities later in life. “With Silver Screamers, I hope to inspire audiences of all ages to rethink what is possible later in life,” Cisterna said in a news release.

“This documentary is not just about filmmaking. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the enduring human need to create.” The participants, whose backgrounds include careers as teachers and puppeteers, join forces with a local filmmaker to create The Rug, a short horror film that challenges assumptions about aging and artistic risk-taking.

Along the way, they confront the practical realities of independent filmmaking, from improvising special effects on a limited budget to navigating the occasional tensions of working collaboratively. The process brings laughter, surprises, and a renewed sense of purpose. Many of the participants have experienced personal loss, illness, or the isolation that can accompany aging.

Through storytelling and shared creative work, they build new friendships and rediscover confidence and joy. “The film is a testament to the importance of staying engaged, taking risks, and embracing new challenges at any stage of life,” said gallery director Sophie Paskins. Cisterna is a multi-award-winning Canadian director whose previous films include The Long Rider, From the Vine, Kiss and Cry, and Full Out.

He has received both a Canada 150 Citizenship Award and a King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his contributions to the arts and community engagement. The 94-minute film will begin at 7 p.m. upstairs at Artsplace Gallery in Annapolis Royal. Admission is by donation, with a suggested contribution of $10.

There is a Q&A with Cisterna after the screening via Zoom.