Emerging Filmmakers Showcase: ‘I: Scream—A Minty Musical’

The Lindsay’s final Emerging Filmmakers Showcase in January is a deliciously fun musical made by a local filmmaking power couple.

I: Scream—A Minty Musical was directed by Aleen Isley and written by Isley with her husband, Steve Rudzinski. The film, which was partially shot in Sewickley, follows a scientist’s desperate efforts to stop living ice cream from devouring everything in sight.

Isley and Rudzinski’s latest cinematic treat will play at The Lindsay on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. It will be proceeded by a selection of trailers and music videos celebrating the 15th anniversary of their production company, Silver Spotlight Films. The screening will be immediately followed by a filmmaker Q&A. This event is free, though we recommend RSVPing via the below sign-up form due to space limitations.

“What sets I: Scream apart from other locally made horror comedies is its musical format,” says Isley. “It’s sure to get your toes tapping and leave a long-lasting ear worm when you leave the theater.”

I: Scream features six original songs written by Isley and composed by Mike Trebilcock. They help tell the story of Charlie (B. Barnabei), a scientist who’s hopelessly in love with their childhood friend, Logainne (Marie Taylor).

One night, some experimental, DNA-altering chemicals fall into a mint chocolate chip treat, causing it to gain sentience. “Minty” has one desire: eat everything it can. It’s up to Charlie, their friend Sean (Alex Hazen) and Reggie the retired ice cream purveyor (David Dietz) to save Logainne and end Minty’s reign of terror.

Isley filmed I: Scream during summer 2025 throughout this region with a largely Western Pennsylvania-based cast. Audiences may recognize Pittsburgh-adjacent businesses such as Technique by Toni Dance Studio, Scoops Ice Cream in Sewickley and the Riverside Drive In Theatre in Vandergrift.

“Our town may be known for its sports teams, but it also boasts a cultural smelting of the arts,” Isley says. “I: Scream is another new work presented by a home-grown Pittsburgh director who could really use your support.”

Isley and Rudzinski have made 15-plus films together—mostly in the Pittsburgh area—since 2011. A few have previously screened at The Lindsay, including the CarousHELL trilogy and last year’s Curtains for Christmas.

With I: Scream, Isley combined her filmmaking experience and musical theater background to create a truly original horror-comedy.

“Our city has hosted cult classic musicals such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show for decades,” she says. “It’s time for a minty fresh new favorite.”