The Bannerman Castle Trust is partnering with the organization Modern Silent Shorts to present a special screening event on historic Bannerman Island. The evening will feature a curated selection of contemporary silent short films accompanied by an exciting live musical score performed on-site.

Established in 2023 by philanthropist Boykin Curry alongside producers Lily Weisberg and Michael Bloom, Modern Silent Shorts commissions filmmakers to create new works without spoken dialogue. Instead of archival films from a century ago, the organization focuses on brand-new works exploring modern themes against the backdrop of the Hudson Highlands and the historic castle ruins.

The creative team behind the organization has produced more than 12 silent short films since its founding. Weisberg and Bloom recently collaborated on the short film “Rare Birds,” which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival.Composer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin McDonald, who has put together the live musical presentation with Weisberg and Bloom, will score the evening. McDonald released a new EP in late 2025 and recently scored the feature film “Caity,” which also played in competition at the 2026 Tribeca Festival.

The upcoming presentation will showcase a variety of film genres, including drama, horror, and slapstick comedy. The selected pieces highlight directors whose works have been recognized in major national and international festivals and competitions.