The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is pleased to welcome the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium, a celebration of the expressive power of early cinema, to Gartner Auditorium for four days of silent film screenings accompanied by live music. From Lon Chaney to Buster Keaton, this year’s festival offers no shortage of the wonders of the silent era.
This year’s films include “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” “Paris Qui Dort,” “Entr’acte,” and “Go West.”
Tickets can be reserved on the museum’s website. Guests have the option to purchase tickets to individual screenings or to buy a festival pass, which allows purchasers to attend all screenings at the CMA at a discounted fee. In addition, the festival pass includes admission to the screening of “Faust” on Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. at the Cleveland Cinematheque. Festival pass holders must bring their festival pass to the Cinematheque box office to receive their ticket for the Faust screening.
“The Phantom of the Opera “(1925)
Sunday, Sept. 14, 3–4:30 p.m.
Gartner Auditorium, Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center
Ticket Required
On Sept. 14, the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium marks the centennial of a landmark in cinema history: “The Phantom of the Opera “(1925). This special screening features the film accompanied by its original score, performed live by American Musical Productions’ 17-piece orchestra under the baton of conductor Joseph Rubin.
Lon Chaney’s performance as the Phantom still captivates a century later, while the music of the original 1925 orchestral score brings the gothic grandeur of Gaston Leroux’s tale to life.
Wit, Scandal and Silent-Era Elegance: Lady Windermere’s Fan
Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30–9 p.m.
Gartner Auditorium, Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center
Ticket Required
Step into a world of high society and hidden secrets as the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium presents Ernst Lubitsch’s Lady Windermere’s Fan (1925), an imaginative silent adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s sharp-tongued comedy of manners.
This silent-era gem is accompanied by a chamber quintet performing live, bringing the film to life with a rich, evocative original compilation score drawn from authentic historic photoplay music. It’s an evening where elegance, irony, and artistry take center stage.
A Cinematic Time Machine: Double Bill of René Clair’s Surreal Visions
Saturday, Sept. 20, 3-4:30 p.m.
Gartner Auditorium, Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center
Ticket Required
Presented in conjunction with the CMA’s exhibition Rose Iron Works and Art Deco and in celebration of the centenary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, the moment that birthed the bold elegance of Art Deco, the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium presents two avant-garde masterpieces by visionary filmmaker René Clair, brought thrillingly to life with live music performed by Philip Carli and Eric Charnofsky.
First, drift through a dreamlike Paris suspended in time in “Paris Qui Dort” (1925), Clair’s poetic sci-fi comedy, accompanied by the vibrant compilation score first heard at the film’s Parisian premiere. Then, lose yourself in the surreal spectacle of “Entr’acte” (1924), Clair’s riotous Dadaist short, performed with a piano four-hands version of Erik Satie’s playful, groundbreaking score just as it was originally experienced.
The event is preceded by a panel discussion — moderated by pianist Eric Charnofsky (Cleveland, OH) — on silent film music by some of the best local and regional practitioners of the art: Philip Carli (Rochester, NY), Rodney Sauer (Louisville, CO), David Blazer (Cleveland, OH), and Donnie Rankin (Ravenna, OH).
“Buster Keaton in Go West” (1925)
Sunday, Sept. 21, 3-4:30 p.m.
Gartner Auditorium, Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center
Ticket Required
Closing out the 2025 Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium is Buster Keaton’s classic comedy “Go West,” which also celebrates its 100th year. The film is being presented with a compilation chamber score by Rodney Sauer, who leads our Cleveland-based ensemble. The score is enhanced with sound effects provided by Radio on the Lake Theatre.
Image courtesy of the Cleveland Silent Film Festival
