Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is proud to present the return of the Frank Buxton Silent Film Festival—a three-day cinematic excursion into the pleasures, history, and lost art of silent film. This annual celebration invites you to experience a curated selection of silent film treasures—ranging in tone, style, and story. From laugh-out-loud moments to deeply moving scenes, each film promises a unique journey into the art and magic of early cinema.

These film treasures are brought to life with live piano and ensemble accompaniment, including original scores performed by acclaimed musicians. Together, film and music create a powerful alchemy—proving that sometimes, what’s unspoken says the most.

This year’s Festival is curated by Buxton’s friend and frequent creative partner, John Ellis, with help from musician, composer, and arts advocate Andrew Joslyn, and collaboration from the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

Individual Tickets – Member Price: $11.89 / Non-member Price: $13.95

Series Passes – Member Price: $42.76 / Non-member Price: $53.05

Festival Schedule

Friday, September 12
7:00 PM — Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927, 127 min)
Dir. F.W. Murnau
Starring George O’Brien and Janet Gaynor
Live Music: Michael Owcharuk & Kate Olson

Saturday, September 13
1:00 PM — Collection of Silent Shorts

• A Wild Roomer (Charley Bowers, 1927)

• Laurel and Hardy (1929)

• Backstage (Buster Keaton & Roscoe Arbuckle)
  Live Music: Dr. Andrew Shields

4:00 PM — People on Sunday (1929, Germany)
Early work by Billy Wilder & Fred Zinnemann
Live Music: Michael Owcharuk & Kate Olson

7:00 PM — The General (Buster Keaton)
Live Music: Dr. Andrew Shields

Sunday, September 14
1:00 PM — 3 Bad Men (1926, 122 min)
Dir. John Ford — A classic Western
Live Music: Dr. Andrew Shields

4:00 PM — Flesh and the Devil (1926)
Dir. Clarence Brown
Starring Greta Garbo & John Gilbert
Live Music: Michael Owcharuk & Kate Olson

Special Thanks To:

John Ellis

Andrew Josyln