Sean Cisterna

Can you tell us about the key moments that set you on a path towards filmmaking? When did you realize it could be a real career? Director Sean Cisterna: I’ve always loved movies, ever since E.T. “went home” and I started bawling. As I got older, it was a Canadian film — David Cronenberg’s The Fly — that made me think, “Wow, this could be a career I could conceivably strive toward.” I studied film at York University, and over time, I’ve had the chance to direct a range of projects: dramas...

Sean Cisterna - originally published for Unison Sep 8, 2025 As someone who has worked across a range of budgets in film and television, I know that constraints often lead to the most creative solutions. But The Rug - a short horror film made with a crew of inexperienced senior citizens - pushed that idea to the limit in the most delightful way. Our documentary, Silver Screamers, chronicles the behind-the-scenes journey of the making of The Rug. It is a testament to the unexpected power of...

I’ve learned that you can only truly maintain a career in this industry if you FORCE the success of your previous film.  And by force l mean “ensure by any means necessary” that your film is going to find an audience. Because if YOU don’t make a monumental effort to do so, it likely won’t pan out.  I’m currently in post production on my new movie called Silver Screamers, a heartwarming and spine-tingling documentary that follows a group of spirited senior citizens as they embark on an...