Pulling out all the stops, Deaffest, the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival is BACK and will be taking place at THREE NEW VENUES in Wolverhampton, UK from 10th to 12th May 2024, where you can Tune in to Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary!
Marking this special anniversary milestone with a music theme, the internationally recognised festival will be bigger, with a line-up of films showcased both at the festival and via its brand-new online cinema. All this and more, with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.
“It is both incredible and rewarding to see how far Deaffest has come! Deaffest has been strengthened over the years, festival by festival, thanks to all those who were involved in many different capacities. The Deaffest platform has continued to support and develop the talents of emerging and established d/Deaf filmmakers, actors, and artists from the UK and across the globe. Deaffest has proudly screened nearly 420 films from 36 countries, which were produced by d/Deaf directors and/or featuring d/Deaf actors/performing artists, since the first edition in 2006!” Deaffest Co-Founder – Marilyn Willrich
“Deaffest has and will continue to preserve the importance of Deaf culture, sign languages, including British Sign Language, and Deaf heritage. To contribute towards building a bridge of inclusion between Deaf and hearing media and arts professionals and industries, in the breaking down of communication barriers. The film and media-related opportunities the festival offers contribute to the self-confidence and empowerment of d/Deaf individuals of all ages, expanding their potential to achieve. All supported by the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery. Deaffest 2024 will take place during national Deaf Awareness Week, and we hope you can join us in Tuning in to Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary!” Deaffest Co-Founder – Nikki Stratton
Deaffest 2024 will be taking place at three venues: University of Wolverhampton which has given great support to Deaffest in the past and offers Screen School facilities for developing skills in the digital arts and media industries, Arena Theatre – known for its quality diverse theatre programmes in the West Midlands, and lastly The Halls Wolverhampton (previously titled The Civic Hall), a music venue renowned for its live music events.
At these venues, the festival’s 15th edition will offer a packed programme, including subtitled film screenings and accessible events, including an art & photography exhibition, panel discussions, workshops, a stalls fair, performances, plus the widely anticipated 9th Film and TV Awards Gala and Late-Night Party, with networking opportunities! Visitors from the UK and across the globe are welcome to explore Deaffest 2024 and take part in the accessible festivities!
Under the festival’s theme, different forms of music will be explored through the skills and talents of musicians, filmmakers, actors and performing artists. Deaffest has been privileged to have worked with both UK and international d/Deaf individuals who have contributed to the music scene at past festivals and Deaffest aspires to bring further Deaf talents to the forefront where visitors can learn, enjoy, and be inspired by them.
“Music is shared universally through many different pathways and is a way of communicating and evoking emotions. Music isn’t restricted to just listening to sounds; widen your horizons and experience music through different forms such as films, music videos, sign songs, visual vernacular, hand tutting, vibrations, dance movements, visual arts, and more at Deaffest 2024! Come and swing dance, moonwalk, or even salsa dance into the festival, explore and be inspired by the music theme, through the talents and skills of musicians, filmmakers, actors and performing artists, no matter what your decibel levels are!” Deaffest team
Stay tuned in with Deaffest’s upcoming news on www.deaffest.co.uk including becoming a sponsor, holding a stall, and opportunities for visual artists to exhibit their work. Events/workshops, and ticket information will also be available on Deaffest’s website.
Deaffest is currently accepting film submissions which are free to submit until the early bird deadline of 10th November, 5pm (GMT). After this deadline, a £30.00 fee will apply. The final deadline is 8th December 2023, 5pm (GMT).
You can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up for Deaffest e-newsletters, and by following @Deaffest on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and Tiktok (#TuneintoDeaffests15th).
For more information, please contact enquiries@deaffest.co.uk.
Deaffest is a project run under Zebra Access CIO and is one of the finalists for the National Lottery Awards 2022, recognised for supporting and developing the talents of many emerging and established deaf filmmakers and artists from the UK and worldwide, for over 15 years. You can view the history of Deaffest here and enjoy its rich archive.
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