Josh Saltzman is a writer, director and filmmaker. His short film Shiva will be screening as part of the Unkosher Nightmares: A Short Film Programme at TJFF 2025 on June 14. We asked him about the inspiration behind the film, Jewish horror, as well as his his creative Jewish role models and his favorite comedians.

Kultura Collective: Hi Josh! Can you please tell us a bit about you and your creative practice?

Josh Saltzman: I primarily consider myself a writer, so practice is my best practice. I try to write every day. Am I successful at this? Not always. It’s like exercise, sometimes I’m in great writing shape. Sometimes I’m a slug. Depending where I am in a project also determines what type of writing I’m doing. At the beginning it’s brainstorming, which is fun. Eventually I’ve shaped the story enough to start writing the first draft, which I find no fun at all. The old saying is writers hate writing, but love having written. That’s true for me in terms of first drafts. Then I start editing, this is a return to the joy of writing as each pass gets better.

KC: Your film Shiva will be part of the Unkosher Nightmares Short Film Program at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival on June 14. What is the film about?

JS: Shiva is an unnerving tale about a recently widowed woman who breaks with a long-held Jewish mourning ritual in hopes of connecting with her deceased husband.

KC: What was the inspiration behind it?

JS: The idea for Shiva began when I was 12 years old and had to attend a Shiva. I saw all the covered mirror and I thought they looked like ghosts. It’s the first Shiva I had been to and the walls of “ghosts” unsettled me. I asked the Rabbi why we did that. He said it was to focus on mourning and not our vanity. I remember my little storytellers mind saying, “I think there’s something more to it than that.”

KC: How did Jewish storytelling shape this film? Was it your first time exploring your identity in this way?

JS: It goes without saying that the Jewish people have a rich history of storytelling. It’s in our bones. I love movies and a lot of my absolute favourites are directed, written, and produced by Jews, whether the content was Jewish or not.

Shiva is not the first time I’ve explored my Jewish identity, although it was the most personal. I had also written a play with a friend Rob Shapiro that played at Fringe about a young man’s last night with his friends before he made Aliyah. Even in my non Jewish projects, I can’t help, but always add a little Jewish Flavour. Like a hint of dill in a matzoh ball soup.

KC: The film has been showcased in previous festivals – mainly horror film festivals – how do audiences react?

JS: The reaction to shiva has been fantastic. While screening at Fantasia Film International Film Festival a woman in front of me literally jump out of her seat during a jump scare. I love that! I also find that audiences and other filmmakers that aren’t familiar with Shiva rituals are very curious about it and will come and ask questions which I think is great.

KC: You worked with local Toronto-based talent for this film – how was it making a film in your backyard?

JS: You’ll have to ask my parents. We filmed in their backyard… or their living room to be more precise. Actually it was a lot of fun, and my parents, being wonderful Jewish parents, were wonderful hosts and the cast and crew loved them. The lead Corrine Koslo and my mom actually because friends!

KC: Any jump scares (for those of us who aren’t big horror buffs)?

JS: An effective jump scare really relies on building up tension. Playing with that unsure feeling that their could be something scary at any minute. So, all I’ll say is… maybe.

KC: Is horror and/or Jewish traditions something you hope to explore more in your work?

JS: Absolutely! I would love to make Shiva into a feature length film. I’ve also always dreamed of doing a horror film that takes place over a seder. The angel of death passing over the house. Opening the door for Eliyahu. Drops of blood. It’s already all there!

KC: Speaking of TJFF 2025, what films are you looking forward to watching?

JS: All of them! I’m going to see as many as I can. But I’m especially excited to see Once Upon My Mother.

KC: What else are you working on?

JS: I’m always juggling a lot of projects. But I’m really excited that I’m developing a workplace comedy with a great Canadian production company. I’m also just shopping a new feature based on a true story about my son and Dracula (I’m not kidding!).

KC: What’s inspiring you Jewish-ly lately?

JS: What’s inspiring me “Jewishly” these days is watching our communities solidarity in these troublesome times. Never been more proud to be Jewish.

KC: Who are your creative Jewish role models?

JS: Jeeze! Take a look at the AFI top 100 filmmakers and then circle all the Jewish ones. You’ll be circling a lot. Also, my mom who is an incredible artist in pottery.

KC: If you could have Shabbat dinner with anyone (Jewish), who would it be and why?

JS: Einstein! He needs to walk me though this relativity thing. I still don’t get it.

KC: What does “Jewish joy” mean to you?

JS: The yearly family Latkes competition!

KC: Lightning round question!

• Applesauce vs sour cream? Call me crazy… but I go horseradish with my latkes.
• Poppy vs sesame seed bagels? Poppy!
• Latke vs sufganiyot? Latke!
• Raisin vs plain challah? Plain. Raisin’s on Challah is a hat on a hat.
• Hummus vs baba ghanoush? Hummus. No… baba ghanoush… Sorry… Hummus. WAIT!
• Rugelach vs bourka? Rugelach
• Poppy seed vs prune Hamantaschen? Prune
• Zaatar vs Harissa? Harissa
• Spinning the Dreidel vs Finding the Afikomen? Afikomen!
• Pickled herring vs gefilte fish? Neither. I respect those who enjoy them… but I don’t get it.
• Shawarma vs falafel? Falafel. Especially with lots of parsley!
• Fiddler on the Roof vs Joseph? Fiddler!
• Tevya vs Fruma Sarah? Tevya! I relate to his delusions of grandeur.
• Larry David vs Jerry Seinfeld? Larry David Vs Seinfeld?! They’re like bagel and cream cheese. Best together.
• Tiffany Haddish vs Fran Drescher? Both are funny. Sarah Silverman for the win!
• “Puppy for Hanukkah” vs “The Hanukkah Song”? Jack Black’s rendition of Oh, Hanukkah
• New York vs Montreal bagels? Toronto Bagels. Kivas!!!!!
• Pomegranate vs apple? Apple! I live in Meaford which is like the apple capital of Ontario so I have to represent.

Josh Saltzman is a Toronto/LA based writer/director. He was the Supervising Producer and writer on the one-hour drama MOONSHINE, (CW/CBC). He has also written for Call Me Fitz, the new PEANUTS holiday special, It’s The Small Things, Charlie Brown for Apple, Pete The Cat for Amazon, and was the head writer of Inspector Gadget on Netflix. You can find him at @strangeyarns on Instagram

Shiva will be screening as part of the Unkosher Nightmares: A Short Film Programme at TJFF 2025 on June 14 at 9:15pm at the Carleton Cinema. Click here for more information and tickets.

The 33rd Edition of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival is coming June 5th to 15th! OVER 80 FILMS AND 34 PREMIERES FROM 25 COUNTRIES Come meet our guests joining us from Canada, France, Israel and the US.

Learn about the Jewish community in Colombia and Sweden, follow the journeys of criminals on the run in South Africa, drug barons in northern Israel, and housewives turned activists in Ireland and London. From horror to comedy to poignant documentaries, free programmes and engaging panels, discover the unexpected at the Festival.

View the festival line up here. | View or download the Festival Guide here.