Lights, camera … silence. Lyons Township thespians make silent movie – Suburban Life

A team of film buffs at Lyons Township High School will have their work on display for all to see on Jan. 28. That’s the night of the 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival at The Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Lyons Township is one of 14 schools with films in the festival.

Senior Emily Schuler, 18, of La Grange, wrote, directed and was behind the camera for their short film. Gemma Mear, 17, a junior from Western Springs, acts in the movie that clocks in at around six minutes. Crew members in charge of lighting were Auggie Vymyslicky, 17, and Andrew Shepard, 17. Both are juniors who reside in La Grange.

Their advisor, Bill Allan, 53, has taught for 20 years at the high school where he is supervisor of television services. Allan lives in La Grange, walks to work at the north campus and is one of the driving forces behind the film festival.

The high school’s TV station, LTTV, has done a film fest for its own students for about 15 years, he said.

Several years ago, Ed Newmann, founder of Calabash Animation, had the idea for the silent movie festival for high school students, Allan said. The Tivoli has been the fest’s home for several years.

“It’s a classic restored and renovated historical theater. To do the silent film festival in that venue is incredible,” Allan said.

Each film is scored by Derek Berg, founder of Clarendon Hills Music Academy & Music Creation Academy.

It’s a daunting task, Allan said, adding “Derek has the hardest job.”

Berg plays the music for each live movie, much like was done in the 1920s when Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were silent stars of the silver screen.

“The music is amazing. To have your film scored by a professional in a movie theater is just epic,” Allan added. Read More >>

By Steve Metsch
January 26, 2026