October 15 to October 19, 2025
FILM FESTIVAL
Toronto After Dark
Toronto After Dark 2025
A group of senior citizens are recruited to be crew members on a horror film in Silver Screamers. As a way to get funding for his horror short film The Rug, based on the short story by Edo van Belkom, filmmaker Sean Cisterna joins the New Horizons for Seniors Program, a grant that funds projects to improve the social inclusion and well-being of seniors in Canada. A group of seniors in thier 70s and 80s are recruited from Aurora-area seniors associations to be crew on The Rug, with their lack of experience using film equipment being the major challenge.
Silver Screamers Synopsis
Silver Screamers is the latest documentary from director Sean Cisterna (30 Ghosts, From the Vine, The Long Rider). The film follows Cisterna as he decides to direct a horror short film crewed entirely by seniors. These elderly crew members include make-up artist Diane Ament, cinematographer Sonny Lauzon, production designer Lucia Paterra Catania, first AD Bari-Lynne Butters, special effects supervisor David Swift, and props master Anthony Garramone. Gathering to film at Arona’s Hilary House museum, these seniors find a new zest for life.
My Thoughts on Silver Screamers
Silver Screamers is more than just a feature length behind-the-scenes documentary for a short film. This is a film about how essential senior creativity is for society and how working on this film gives these people a way to fill the time, many of whom now live lonely lives. Silver Screamers is ultimately a heart-warming documentary that is accessible to even those who aren’t really into horror. Also, the documentary has one hell of an ending.
Short Film Review: The Rug
Now for a few words on the actual short film the subjects of Silver Screamers were crew on. Edna (Jayne Eastwood) finds an old rug on the side of the road and decides to take it home. She quickly learns that anything, or anyone, that is swept up by the rug is digested by the carpet and a bodycount soon begins to pile up.
The Rug is a gothic supernatural horror tale, which is also reminiscent of The Blob. While this 11-minute short is already enjoyable on its own, it benefits greatly from the added context of seeing the film’s production in Silver Screamers. Not to spoil anything, but the ADR and foley is one of the best parts of this short.
Trailer for Silver Screamers – Toronto After Dark 2025
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