These films honor the lesser-known stories of Salem and offer a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this city so remarkable.

Produced over the course of more than seven years by Perry Hallinan, Joe Cultrera and many other filmmakers for presentation at the Salem Film Fest, these short films span topics from breakfast at Red’s to the annual Black Picnic at Salem Willows. For longtime Salem residents, these stories might spark nostalgia; for new residents and tourists, they illuminate Salem’s vibrant communities, bygone businesses and traditions that local filmmakers have long worked to record and preserve. Beyond the Broom showcases the vibrant community of Salem, one with an identity that extends beyond its witch trials history

This exhibition is part of the 2026 celebration of Salem 400+, which commemorates the quadricentennial of the city’s settlement while honoring the preexisting Indigenous community. The initiative aims to engage the Salem community and ensure a vibrant and sustainable city for generations to come.

Follow along on social media using #BeyondtheBroom

Beyond the Broom: Salem Short Films is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum. We thank Jennifer and Andrew Borggaard, James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes, The Creighton Family, Chip and Susan Robie, and Timothy T. Hilton as supporters of the Exhibition Innovation Fund. We also recognize the generosity of the East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum.