On Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, Deaf Santa Claus made its New England theatrical debut at Cinema Salem (1 E India Square Mall, Salem, MA 01970). The screening marked the start of the film’s national 2025 tour, which would eventually expand to nearly 20 cities across the United States.
Charles and Kari Graves attended as special guests, with a post-screening Q&A featuring co-director Anthony Mowl that ran past the scheduled end time. The screening was presented with open captions, and ASL interpreters were provided for the Q&A — the accessibility standard that has defined every screening on the national tour.
Cinema Salem, an independent movie theater in historic downtown Salem, has a track record of programming culturally significant independent documentaries. The September 24 booking was strategic: it gave the film a strong Northeast launch from a venue with a passionate independent-film audience, and it served as the proof point that anchor screenings at independent cinemas could carry the rest of the national tour. The Salem screening also drew coverage from regional press, including Press Play Salem, which featured the film in its 2025 Holiday Guide.
