Gala Awards with Late Night Party: £30.00

Late Night Party Only!: £15.00

Information and rules of the Visual Vernacular competition.

The Visual Vernacular competition will take place in the courtyard and is scheduled to start at 11:30pm and our host for the evening, Richard Carter will explain the rules of the competition and demonstrate a short expression.

Each participant is required to deliver their expression once, but they can use the same expression that got them shortlisted but the participant is also allowed to create a new expression to use for the competition.

The expression must be no longer than ten minutes maximum and the minimum time is three minutes. If an expression is completed less than three minutes, then the participant will be disqualified immediately.

British Sign Language and fingerspelling is not allowed, and if a participant uses BSL or fingerspelling in the expression, then the participant will be disqualified immediately.

When participants delivers their expressions, they must be standing on the same spot for the remainder of their expression.

The judges will be judging the participants’s expressions on the merits of clear rhythm in the expression, good use of facial expression (NFM), and being able to shift between roles smoothly. The judges will be also be based heavily on the creativeness, how detailed, use of proforms and the content that participants deliver must be crystal clear.

If a draw occurs, then a sudden death will take place to determine the winners of the competition.

We at the Deaffest team wish the participants good luck for the competition and may the best expression win! Join us for the visually party of the night!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, and your career in film so far!

2. How do you feel about your film being nominated for an award?

3. What does Deaffest/deaf film festival means to you?

Best International Film

Mindy Drapsa | Frequency, Sweden.

1. I love TV in whole my life! I did make several TV-program for deaf youth and some short film in Sweden. Now I am running a media company Dramaski.

2. It’s a honour to get a nomination in an international film festival! I think it’s good because this get us more motivation, which leads to making more film in future!

3. So we deaf people could share our experience about film sign language which is different from spoken language. The film festival is our biggest inspiration!

Alejandro Figueras | Identidad, Spain.

1. I started to do theatre in the deaf school at the age of 14. Since then, I have directed and acted in films and theatre.

2. It is a huge joy! It is third international participation of “Identity”! A shame we could not be there, but our heart is with you!

3. Deaf film festivals are an opportunity to show deaf art to world, and make survival our language and culture. Therefore, thank you for your work!

Jake Willis | Here In Silence, Australia.

1. Hi, I’m Jake a 20year-old filmmaker and photographer from Melbourne. I currently study film and television. From the age of 17 I have been doing stills photography on film sets. “Here In Silence”, is the first official short film that I have written and directed. At the moment I am currently script writing my next project and getting involved on as many film sets as possible.

2. Thrilled! The “Here In Silence” team is so proud to share our film at Deaffest, let alone be nominated for Best International Film.

3. Deaffest means a great deal to me in a quite simple way. I am just so happy that we get to share the film in front of an understanding audience. I hope the film will be enjoyed and people will find their own individual meanings.

Alice Ansara & Kate Matairavula | Jacob’s Story, Australia.

1. Kate and Alice work for the Deaf Society of NSW. Jacob’s Story is the first professional film they’ve produced. Both have been actors in the past and both love language.

2. We both feel immensely proud to tell the world Jacob’s Story. We only wish England was closer to Australia so we could put on nice frocks and high heels and come to the awards night.

3. It’s a celebration of the deaf way of looking at the world, inspiration to budding filmmakers, opportunities for actors and film makers and of course, nice frocks and high heels.

Best Documentary Film

Cathy Heffernan | Crossing the Divide, UK.

1. Started in TV as a researcher on a magazine programme then worked as a journalist for several years and am now moving back into filmmaking!

2. Am chuffed Crossing the Divide has been nominated as it’s the first film I’ve directed!  It’s encouragement to keep on making documentaries…

3. Seeing films made by deaf people at the first Deaffest I went to in 2003 made me realise I could do it too – it’s an event that inspires filmmakers.

Camilla Arnold | Punk Chef & Who Cares?, UK.

1. I am a loopy but passionate producer/director. I have loved every minute of my four-year-old career (even the long and unsociable hours!)

2. I am over the moon! Documentaries are so important; it is a form of campaigning and it also educates the community.

3. Deaffest is incredibly important; it means that my hard work is recognised and my programmes, which are relevant to the community, are being watched.

David Ellington & David Hay | 300 SECS, UK.

1. David Ellington has directed quite a few films with his own production, VS1 whilst David Hay is a researcher for the BBC for over 2 years which clearly we have developed and shared our knowledge and experiences into this film.

2. To be honest, we didn’t expect it to be nominated after completing that work within 3 weeks, a bit rush, so we are patting our backs for this.

3. Deaffest is a platform to get our works shown and share film experiences to other film makers and one day, it will led us to Hollywood!

Best British Film

Bim Ajadi | Champion of the World, UK.

1. I have produced and directed 5 films, working from amateur to professional levels. Film making is my absolute passion and my biggest ambition is to produce ground-breaking feature films! My hope is that one day my ambitious dream will come true.

2. I’m delighted and honoured. It is certainly unexpected. It’s always so nice to be nominated.

3. Deaffest is invaluable to me. It’s a Festival where you are able to share information, showcase your work and see so many high quality deaf films from like-minded fellow deaf film-makers. Deaffest is a perfect stepping stone for one’s own development and progression. UK film-makers wouldn’t be where they are now if it wasn’t for Deaffest!

Julian Peedle-Calloo | Confession, UK.

1. I’ve worked for the BBC for 12 years on lots of shows. I’m a one man band – I act, I write and I direct and have made two films – ‘5 Needles’ and the nominated ‘Confession’.

2. Fantastic to see my work nominated alongside other amazing films! I’m thrilled it has been selected out of all the films made in the last two years.

3. It’s very close to my heart. I volunteered at Deaffest  15 years ago never thinking I would see a film I made nominated like this! It’s a vital part of Deaf film culture.

Brian Duffy | Strangers, UK.

Raabia Hussain | September 11, UK.

1. My name is Raabia, 19 year old and rencently I graduated from the first ever national film and television school talent campus residential. Also I have completed my 3 moths course at British film insuitiues (BFI).

2. I feels a real honour and I am overwhelmed with the news because I never thought that it could ever happen to me.

3. It means a lot to me, and it is the journey I will keep taking to keep my dream alive.

Louis Neethling | Still Here, UK.

1. I’m a South African British Deaf director/producer who has been making TV programmes and films in various sign languages for over 19 years.

2. I’m so happy for the cast and crew of Still Here to have their incredible talent and work ethic recognised. Hard work and dedication pay off.

3. Deaffest is where I want my films seen because Deaffest is ‘home’ for all Deaf film makers and audiences who want to celebrate Deaf culture.

Ted Evans | The End, UK.

1. I’ve always enjoyed making films. As a kid I played with cameras & now as a freelance filmmaker, I’m always working on a film. It’s hard work but fun.

2. It’s a surprise but I’m pleased because a lot of people worked very hard for this film and they deserve all the praise the film receives.

3. Most of my films have screened at Deaffest & I feel it is a very important festival for deaf filmmakers & deaf films. It’s a special place…

We can confirm that there is a dress code for the 4th Film Gala Awards with red carpet. The code is smart casual, but absolutely no trainers allowed at all! Evening dress is optional and so is bow and ties, but fig leaves are unacceptable.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, and your career in film so far!

2. How do you feel about your film being nominated for an award?

3. How much would it mean to you if you won the award?

Best Actresses

Aliya Gulamani | September 11th

1. My name’s Aliya and I’ve acted in two short films up to date. September 11^th was my second acting project and I really enjoyed the process involved in making this film.

2. I feel shocked and surprised to be nominated for the award, but I mostly feel happy that my performance was enjoyed enough to achieve this nomination.

3. It would be a great honour to win this award, but if I won this award it would be an award for everyone who was involved in this film. It’s a group effort and a group achievement.

Rebecca-Anne Withey | Life Out There

1. I began my professional acting career in 2005 when I was cast in BBC 1′s Grange Hill for 2 years. Since then I have appeared in multiple short films & music videos.

2. It was a pleasant surprise to find I have been nominated for Best Actress and one that is very humbling.

3. I would be proud to receive the award on recognition of the marvellous writing, directing and coaching that created Life Out There, a highly unique film!

Rebecca Zelic | Champion of the World

1. I am not just an actress I am also a Performance level athlete who specialises in Hurdles. I compete in the 100m and 400m hurdles. I have never acted before and I wouldn’t have discovered this new talent of mine if the film producers hadn’t found me!

2. I am not going to lie, I was confused and couldn’t believe it when I received the email about me being nominated for Best Actress. I thought they must have sent it to the wrong person! Too amazing to be true! But I was delighted!

3. I would say a lot! Because all my awards are from Sport and so it’s great to and award for something different, like acting. It shows that I am able to do other things! It also makes my trophy shelves look more exciting!

Sophie Stone | Confession

1. I’m a fully fledged trained actor still learning to fly with every job I do and loving each step of the journey since it all started in 1985!

2. I’m touched that my work has been appreciated and people have deemed me worthy of a nomination. I’m honoured to be considered potentially awardable!

3. A lot. It would mean recognition within a great event that celebrates all that’s creative and groundbreaking about deaf culture and its versatility.

Best Actor

Alex Nowak | The End

1. A huge lover of white chocolate and a massive fan of ‘Home and Away’ — not your average 20 year old! Been acting around for nearly 4 years now.

2. Delighted that my role has been recognised by professionals in the industry and impacted the audience.

3. Tonnes, but being nominated, I’m just as proud. All the best to Terry, Hal and Will.

Hal Draper (Written by Louis Neethling) | Still Here

1. Hal’s acting never garnered awards because it was so natural, seamless and had perfect timing and people thought that was just him – ‘not acting’ at all.

2. About time!

3. It would mean a lot to me and other people: his partner, Lorna, his family, fellow Deaf film makers and especially to the cast and crew of Still Here.

Terry Edwards | The End

1. I’m a BSL Tutor/assessor by day , who after 25 years on the stage and behind the scenes of London Deaf Drama Group, made my film debut in “The End”.

2. I feel honoured and proud to receive the nomination for Best Actor at Deaffest.

3. Deaffest is vital for showcasing the work of the Deaf film industry and developing talent. It is an honour to be nominated and would be a dream to win.

William Grint | Strangers

1. Exaggeration is my forte! My acting debut was in Chasing Cotton Clouds. There’s not much else I like doing apart from acting. No, honestly!

2. When I was nominated, I was over the moon, sun, Pluto! But then I froze. I broke a sweat. I’m up against acting legends who’ve been acting for years.

3. If by a WILD chance I won the award, credit’s down to the writers, directors and the actors, those who made my acting career. I’m indebted to them.

We are proud to announce the 9 people shortlist for the people who applied for the Visual Vernacular competition! Our commiserations to those who did not make the shortlist, but do not give up at all, and keep trying perfecting your talent in Visual Vernacular.

Rinkoo Barpaga

Adam Bassett

Brian Duffy

Matthew Gurney

Ishtiaq Hussain

William Johnson

Zoe McWhinney

David Sands

Jason Sharpe

The Visual Vernacular competition will take place at the Late Night Deaf Party at Deaffest 2013, just after the 4th Film Gala Awards, and the competition will commence at 11:30pm! Buy your tickets now by visiting this link.

We are proud to announce our five judges who will judge the artists for their expressions and decide the winners!

Clive Mason

Clive Mason has been a prominent and influential figure in the field of sign language and the media for over thirty years. His extensive experience has made him highly sought after as a Sign Language Media Consultant.

Clive rose to prominence as the longest standing presenter and reporter on the BBC’s flagship Deaf magazine program ‘See Hear’. He has worked as both a film/video director and assistant producer, translating information regarding Government initiatives and services into formats accessible to the Deaf community for the Central Office of Information.

He then went on to head up the British Sign Language/English translation production unit for the company Independent Media Support Ltd (IMS).

His outstanding contribution to the field of Deaf Media was recently recognised with a Lifetime Achievement award.

Jean St. Clair

Trained at the British Theatre of the Deaf, Jean has worked with National Theatre of the Deaf (USA), Interim Theatre Company (UK) and Australian Theatre of the Deaf. Theatre work includes Locked Room Scenario (Artangel); Counting The Ways  (Oval House & London tour, Millfield Arts Centre); In Praise of Fallen Women (Drill Hall); Cinders Sisters (Drill  Hall); Snow Queen (Drill Hall); Children of a Lesser God (Sarah Norman, lead role) at Albery Theatre, Sadlers Wells Theatre, tours of Ireland, South Africa and No.1 UK tour. Hearing (Birmingham Rep) and Waiting for Godot; Don Quixote; Lady of The Larkspur; Lotion & Sgnarelle (Australia). TV includes Don’t Leave Me This Way: Hands Up! (The Magician’s Nephew and The Iron Man), Sign On and See Hear. Short Films includes Still Here and Five Needles. She recently worked as BSL Artistic Director for Remark! Media’s new series, Magic Hands to be shown on CBeebies. Her work as BSL consultant include National Theatre Wales’ In Water I’m Weightless and NSPCC/Childline’s Online Safety and with several other theatre companies including Unicorn Theatre, Face Front Inclusive Theatre, Graeae Theatre, Red Earth Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and Forest Forge Theatre.

(Photograph by Samuel Dore)

Gavin Lilley

Gavin is a native BSL user having grown up in a Deaf family. He has grown up with an unwavering passion for learning other Sign Languages and teaching. During his University studies he further developed his keen interest in the visual nature of sign languages, more towards the field of international communication. Through his love for travel, sign language and cultural diversity he chose to do a student exchange programme in Kuopio, Finland, where he met his wife. They both use BSL and FinSL on a daily basis. He has taught international signing workshops to well over a hundred Sign Language Interpreters all over Europe. Gavin is fluent in British Sign Language, Finnish Sign Language and has some experience with American and German Sign Languages. He loves to watch and use the visual vernacular – It is the very thing that makes the worldwide Deaf community so united by breaking down communication barriers with ease.

Marilyn Willrich

As a Deaf native sign language user Marilyn Willrich comes from a 7th generation deaf family.  She has experience of teaching British Sign Language (BSL) from beginner level up to level 6.  Marilyn has also taught at the University of Wolverhampton and was previously a CACDP (now Signature) assessor.

With over 20 years experience of the Media industry Marilyn has worked for the BBC as a presenter/reporter and for Channel 4 as a BSL consultant for VeeTV.

Having travelled extensively she has met many Deaf people from all around the world which has exposed her to a rich variety of sign languages.   With a passion for all things visual, Marilyn is very proud to be judging this year’s VV at Deaffest.

Richard Carter

Richard will be our host for the VV Competition at Late Night Deaf Party.

Richard Carter is a poet, storyteller, teacher and research consultant.

He currently works at Elmfield Secondary School in Bristol as a BSL tutor.

He also teaches poetry to Deaf and hearing adults and children across the UK.  He has performed his own poetry at a range of events, including the Bristol Sign Poetry Festivals (2006, 2010, 2011)  Richard was also responsible for mentoring children who participated in the Life & Deaf project in Greenwich, London in 2006, 2012 and 2013 .  He is currently a research consultant on an Arts and Humanities Research Council project, led by Dr Rachel Sutton-Spence at the University of Bristol that explores the use of metaphor within creative sign language.

Innocents of Oppression author Nick Sturley will be present at this year’s Deaffest. This is your opportunity to speak to Nick and obtain your signed copy of Innocents of Oppression!

This all new work of fiction begins in 1977 when Chris, a popular but troubled 13-year old, meets a new boy Aaron at a traditional boarding school in England where sign language is banned. Their close friendship immediately forms but is then thrown into unexpected situations, trying to accept themselves as well as juggling with their classes, loyalty and sexuality as they embark on a trouble-some journey.

The school’s pupils and teachers have issues of their own – such as the challenges of  adolescence, language barriers, family life, bullying, school politics and abuse.

But it’s the new teacher from West Germany who brings with him a blind hatred towards sign language, the shocking truth behind its suppression and the escalating tension against the oralist oppression at the school soon surfaces and the story culminates with a shattering climax that changes the school, forever.

Innocents of Oppression is a powerful and controversial coming-of-age story bringing forth an array of other characters’ funny, thought-provoking and disturbing accounts that are based on real-life experiences. It takes a candid insight into the life of an oral boarding school viewed from both Deaf and hearing perspectives and it also incorporates real Deaf issues and history, making this groundbreaking work of fiction an unforgettable read.

Pick up your signed copy at Deaffest 2013!

Before the nominations are revealed, here are the previous winners of the 1st to 3rd Film Gala Awards, which can be viewed here.

Best British Film

Champion of the World | Dir. Bim Ajadi.

Confession | Dir. Julian Peedle-Calloo.

Strangers | Dir. Brian Duffy.

September 11 | Dir. Raabia Hussain.

Still Here | Dir. Louis Neethling.

The End | Dir. Ted Evans.

Best Documentary

Crossing the Divide | Dir. Cathy Heffernan.

Punk Chef | Dir. Camilla Arnold.

300 SECS | Dir. David Ellington & David Hay.

Who Cares? | Dir. Camilla Arnold.

Best International Film

Frequency | Dir. Mindy Drapsa, Sweden.

Here In Silence | Dir. Jake Willis, Australia.

Identidad | Dir. Alejandro Figueras, Spain.

Jacob’s Story | Dir. Alice Ansara, Australia.

Best Actress

Aliya Gulamani | September 11

Rebecca-Anne Withey | Life Out There

Rebecca Zelic | Champion of the World

Sophie Stone | Confession

Best Actor

Alex Nowak | The End

Hal Draper | Still Here

Terry Edwards | The End

William Grint | Strangers

Best Director

Bim Ajadi | Champion of the World

Camilla Arnold | Who Cares?

Louis Neethling | Still Here

Ted Evans | The End