WOLVERHAMPTON PROJECT IN THE RUNNING FOR PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL LOTTERY ‘PROJECT OF THE YEAR’ AWARD
A Wolverhampton project that has grown to become the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts festival, is appealing for votes in order to be crowned National Lottery Project of the Year.
Deaffest beat off stiff competition from more than 1300 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards, which celebrate the inspirational people and projects which do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.
There are 17 shortlisted finalists from across the UK, all of which will compete in a four-week public vote from 20th September to 12th October to be named the National Lottery Project of the Year. Winners will receive a £5,000 cash prize for their project and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy.
Founded in Wolverhampton in 2006 by Marilyn Willrich and Nikki Stratton who themselves are deaf, Deaffest has grown to become the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts festival. It takes place biennially with the 2022 festival being its 14th one, but there are also a host of off-shoot events to ensure their agenda has a platform year-round.
Deaffest aims to support and develop the talents of emerging and established deaf filmmakers and artists globally. The weekend includes screenings, exhibitions, workshops, networking opportunities and awards, along with Young Deaffest.
“It’s a huge honour to be a finalist in the National Lottery Awards 2022. We’re really proud of everything we’ve achieved with Deaffest and can’t quite believe we’ve just celebrated our 14th festival. Our goal was to bring deaf creatives together in one space to celebrate our language and culture, whilst showcasing deaf performers, talent and films and we feel like we’re getting that recognition now. It’s an incredible achievement to be able to create a platform for others especially the younger generation. To be recognised for the work we do with National Lottery funding is huge and we really hope people will get behind us.”
Nikki Stratton, Co-Founder of Deaffest
“We’re so pleased to have received so many nominations highlighting the excellent work that National Lottery-funded projects are doing up and down the UK. It’s no secret that times are tough, so it’s great to see so many people and projects dedicating so much time and energy into giving something back to their communities. It’s thanks to National Lottery players, who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes, that brilliant projects like these are possible. Deaffest are doing some incredible work in their community and they thoroughly deserve to be in the finals of the National Lottery Awards Project of the Year 2022. With your support, they could be a winner.”
Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery
To vote for Deaffest, please go to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Or simply use the hashtag #NLADeaffest on your social media platforms. Voting runs from now until 5pm on Wednesday 12th October.
Ends
For further information please contact The National Lottery Awards:
Sinead.Gilgunn@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk / 07971 367 597
Notes to Editors
- Deaffest have received regular funding from the B.F.I. for a number of years, including £50,000 from the UK Film Council in 2008. Its most recent grant was £45,130 from the B.F.I. Audience Fund.
- All voting will be independently adjudicated and verified.
- To find out more about the positive impact playing The National Lottery has, please visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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