2025 Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium

Our flagship annual festival returns September 14, 19–21 at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Stay tuned for an exciting cinematic lineup combined with stellar musical talent!

September 14: PHANTOM OPENING: celebrating its hundredth anniversary, the spectacular PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will be returning to the big screen Sunday afternoon, September 14, at 3:00 PM, with the original 1925 score performed live by American Musical Productions 17-piece orchestra, conducted by musical director Joseph Rubin

 Join us after the film for a special opening night event—details TBA.

  • September 19: WILDE, LUBITSCH, and COLMAN!

    September 19 at 7:30 PM we will be showing the Ernst Lubitsch adaptation of Oscar Wilde's LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, pairing the debonair Ronald Colman with delightful Irene Rich. This will be screened with a compilation score by Rodney Sauer, musical director of the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, directing an ensemble of local professionals. 7:30 PM.

  • September 20: RENÉ CLAIR DOUBLE BILL!

    A double bill celebrating the centenary of the birth of Art Deco in Paris. We are showing two classic avant-garde films from the era: the first is René Clair's dadaist short ENTR'ACTE, presented with Erik Satie's original score. This will be followed by Clair's futuristic fantasy PARIS QUI DORT, a whimsical sci-fi tale complete with a mad scientist and his crazy ray, accompanied by a piano score first heard performed at the film's Parisian opening. 7:30 PM.

  • September 21: KEATON in GO WEST!

    We close out the 2025 festival with Buster Keaton's classic comedy GO WEST, also celebrating its 100th year. The film will also be heard with a compilation chamber score by Rodney Sauer, who will be leading our Cleveland-based ensemble. The score will be enhanced with sound effects provided by Radio on the Lake Theatre. 3:00 PM.