Finger Lakes Film Trail

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

09/09/2026

TOMORROW!
In conjunction with Cayuga Museum of History & Art’s exhibit about the Western film genre, “The Reel American West,” you’re invited to a free virtual book talk with Dr. Sara Gallagher on Thursday, September 10 at 6 PM EST.

What does it mean to imagine the American West through Black experience? For too long, popular culture, from Hollywood Westerns to novels, music, and television, has erased or distorted Black presence in the West, leaving us with an incomplete story of American identity. “Black Wests: Reshaping Race and Place in Popular Culture” brings those histories back into focus.

In this talk, Dr. Gallagher explores how Black writers, filmmakers, and performers have reimagined the Western landscape in ways that challenge dominant myths about race, land, and belonging. Moving across literature, film, and music, she examines how figures ranging from Oscar Micheaux to contemporary creators like Beyonce have reshaped what we think the “West” looks like, sounds like, and means.

The “Black West” is more than a space, it is a cultural and imaginative terrain that reveals hidden histories of migration, labor, homesteading, and community-building.

At the same time, it offers new perspectives on familiar genres, from the Western film to the jazz archive. This presentation will highlight how Black artists and thinkers have unsettled the frontier myth, opening conversations about power, resistance, and the legacies of race in American culture.

Audiences will come away with a deeper understanding of how popular culture both reflects and shapes our understanding of history, and how Black voices have been central to reshaping the story of the American West.

Register here: https://cayugamuseum.org/book-talk-black-wests/

09/07/2026

Register for this free book talk and conversation with Dr. Sara Gallagher, who will join us to discuss her research and findings in her book “Black Wests: Reshaping Race & Place in Popular Culture.” The talk will take place virtually via Zoom, registration is required to attend.

Date: Thursday, September 10
Start Time: 6 PM

Learn More & Register: https://cayugamuseum.org/book-talk-black-wests/

09/03/2026

Next Thursday! You’re invited to a Virtual Book Talk with Sara Gallagher, author of “Black Wests: Reshaping Race and Place in Popular Culture”.
This presentation will highlight how Black artists and thinkers have unsettled the frontier myth, opening up conversations about power, resistance, and the legacies of race in American culture.
Audiences will come away with a deeper understanding of how popular culture both reflects and shapes our understanding of history, and how Black voices have been central to reshaping the story of the American West.
Registration is free and required to attend this program.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/blackwests

This talk is presented by Cayuga Museum of History & Art and is in part of their The Reel American West exhibit. Currently on display through January 2027.

08/14/2026

Trade your couch for the great outdoors and experience Silent Movie Under the Stars 2026!

🎥 Ella Cinders (1926)
📍 Upper Robert Treman State Park
📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 8pm/sundown
🎟️ There is a $5 per vehicle parking fee

This event is fun for the whole family! Bring your lawn chairs, picnics, and favorite people for our annual end-of-summer event!

06/04/2026

WSM and our friends at Historic Ithaca are happy to be reprising our guided walking tour of Ithaca’s historic movie theaters and we’d love for you to join us!
Participants will meet outside the State Theatre and walk through downtown to learn about the history of Ithaca’s lost theatres.
Saturday, June 13
10-11am
107 W State St.
It’s free and open to all!
Register here: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/walk-and-talk-ithacas-theatres
We hope to see you!

06/02/2026

WSM’s Quiet on the Set! Youth Silent Film Festival’s Screening & Awards Ceremony is this Sunday, June 7 at 2pm at Cinemapolis!
Join us as we screen all films that were submitted, followed by a ceremony to award 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, as well as two honorable mentions and an audience choice award!
This event is FREE, fun, and family-friendly! We hope to see you at the movies! 🍿

05/27/2026

You’re invited!

05/05/2026

TOMORROW, May 6, Cayuga Museum welcomes you to a screening & discussion of: “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964)

A wandering gunfighter plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride, and revenge.

Andrew Nelson will join us virtually to introduce the film and lead a Q&A afterwards.

Wed, May 6 | 6pm | Carriage House Theatre
This screening is presented by and is in part of their “The Reel American West” exhibit. Currently on display through January 2027.