A festival that’s well and truly tuned in – Deaffest, the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival and the celebration of its 15th Anniversary!
Deaffest, hosted by award-winning Deaf-led Wolverhampton charity Zebra Access CIO, returned to Wolverhampton from 10th – 12th May 2024, which this year fell during Deaf Awareness Week.
Running for 18 years, the 15th edition of the internationally known Deaf Film & Arts Festival celebrated its special milestone with a music theme: Tune into Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary.
With the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery, plus supporting partners, headline sponsor, and other sponsors, the event included a line-up of subtitled films, a stalls fair, accessible events and workshops, performances, the 9th Film & TV Awards Gala, and the Late-Night Party.
The festival welcomed hundreds of Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing visitors of all ages from the UK and overseas including France, Poland, America, and Australia, all taking part in what Deaffest had to offer over the brilliant, action-packed weekend.
“Deaffest was fantastic this year, celebrating their 15th anniversary!” – Himel Chowdhury, Tour Leader for Hands On Travel
Keeping with the music theme of the festival, visitors had the opportunity to experience music not just through sound but through different forms including a line-up of music videos produced by d/Deaf creatives, learning how to sign song for fun, trying out dance choreography, experiencing immersive hula hoop performances and rock music via sign song performance, and more!
Deaffest 2024 commenced with launch events on the evening of Friday 10th May, with a closed networking event for guests who have supported Deaffest over the years, as well as those working in media, at Arena Theatre. This included speeches, the premiere of BSL Zone’s ‘The Letter’ directed by Samuel Dore, music video screenings, and entertainment. A second event took place at the Luna Lounge, University of Wolverhampton where visitors gathered to socialise, compete at table football, and give their all at sign song karaoke – a must-see for anyone who has never experienced it!
“This was my first time coming to Deaffest and I loved it! I arrived on Friday and the staff and everyone were so lovely and welcoming. I felt excited to see what the rest of the weekend would bring. On Friday I performed at the closed event in the Arena, everyone was lovely and gave beautiful feedback!” – Harry Jardine, Performer
The morning of Saturday 11th May saw the opening of The George where visitors collected their admission wristband(s). Both venues, the Arena Theatre, and University of Wolverhampton quickly became bustling with the day’s events; the Stalls Fair including exhibited artworks, and the screenings of nominated entries attracting large numbers.
Both venues saw workshops taking place throughout the day including ‘Creating Content’ by Actor, Presenter and Filmmaker Danny Murphy and Presenter and Content Creator Jazzy Whipps, ‘Sign Song for Fun’ as well as ‘Sign Song for Performance’ workshops both led by Signed Song Performer Rebecca A. Withey, ‘Mental Health: Laughing with Humour’ with Comedian and Actor John Smith, ‘Follow the Signs’ by Co-Artistic Directors of Fuse Theatre Chris Fonseca and Harry Jardine, ‘Connect & Laugh: Communication’ by FlowTV’s Florian Tirnovan and ‘Visual Vernacular with Zoë McWhinney’ – bringing Deaf talent to the forefront for visitors to learn from, enjoy and be inspired!
Out on the courtyard under the azure sky, there was plenty of entertainment; DeafMimo with his impressive miming skills, Captain Smithy jaunting around, Terry’s Poi and Circus exhibiting juggling and poi spinning, a captivating hula hoop demonstration by Hula Bella and an interactive show by the Duo Pirate Captains.
The afternoon included a tour led by deaf students Molly Thomas and Bethan Ashford where visitors explored the studios and teaching spaces within the University of Wolverhampton, learning about the filmmaking process and courses available.
The MC001 room at the University was occupied with a rolling programme of events including the premiere screening of ava’s story, plus Director Q&A with Danny Murphy (who is also the Ambassador of Young Deaffest), followed by an interview with Author, Actor and Model Nyle DiMarco.
A panel discussion followed, focussing on preserving the authenticity of Deaf cultural language dialogue in Deaf film & TV screenplay. Panellists were Actor, Writer, Presenter & Director Julian Peedle-Calloo, Actress Nadia Nadarajah, Writer & Director Ted Evans and Screenwriter & Director Charlie Swinbourne. Lastly, to end such a great day, a panel discussion about the BFI Film Fund where award-winning Deaf Directors Bim Ajadi and Samuel Dore shared their experiences in advancing their filmmaking careers through BFI funding streams.
Over at the Luna Lounge, an autograph session concurrently took place with a very long queue of visitors excited to meet Nyle DiMarco!
The evening of Deaffest 2024’s 9th Film & TV Awards Gala took place at The Halls Wolverhampton, a music venue renowned for its live music events. With the hall and bars adorned with Deaffest 2024 banners in the festival theme colours of pink, yellow and green, a buzzing atmosphere increased as the Awards event approached.
There was a wonderful surprise opening by Deaffest’s Co-founders and Directors Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich with their sign song duet performance – a stunning show! Later Ashley Kendall and Damaris Cooke took over the stage as MCs of Deaffest and ran the evening spectacularly. Congratulations go to the following winners of the 9th Film & TV Awards:
Deaffest 2024: Best Artistic Short Film
‘The Device That Turned Me Into a Cyborg Was Born the Same Year I was’ directed by Dir. Chella Man
Presented by Bim Ajadi, BAFTA award Winner (Breakthrough alumni) and London based independent filmmaker
Deaffest 2024: Best Actress
Fifi Garfield for her role in ‘Coffee Morning Club’
Presented by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre
Deaffest 2024: Best Actor
Jamie Rea for his role in ‘The Singer’
Presented by Wendy Daunt, known for her involvement in ‘Beginners Guide to BSL’ on TV in 1983, theatre work, in Deaf Education and CHASE video productions
Deaffest 2024: Best International Short Film
‘Tarneit’ directed by John Sheedy
Presented by award-winning Producer and Director Camilla Arnold
Deaffest 2024: Best Screenwriter
Matthew Gurney for ‘Coffee Morning Club’
Presented by RTS award-winning Screenwriter and Director Charlie Swinbourne
Deaffest 2024: Best UK Short Film
‘Night Shift’ directed by Bim Ajadi
Presented by John Maidens, High-End drama director for the UK and US networks
Deaffest 2024: Best Presenter
Fifi Garfield for her role in ‘Sign2Win Series 2: Episode 4’
Presented by Founder and Artistic Director of Clin d’Oeil David de Keyzer
Deaffest 2024: Best Documentary
‘Alfredo Corrado’ directed by Julien Bourges
Presented by Nyle DiMarco, New York Times bestselling author, model and actor
Deaffest 2024: Best Director
Chella Man for ‘The Device That Turned Me Into a Cyborg Was Born the Same Year I was’
Presented by Textile Artist, Maker & Curator, Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings MBE
Deaffest 2024: Best Television Programme
‘Coffee Morning Club: Episode 1’ directed by Louis Neethling
Presented by Tracy McCoy, Associate Dean Student Recruitment & International for the Faculty of Arts, Business & Social Sciences at the University of Wolverhampton
Deaffest 2024: Best Film
‘Diagnonsense’ directed by Samuel Dore
Presented by Director of Marketing at SignVideo by Sorenson, Semhar Beyene
Entertainment took place throughout featuring a first time ever comedic collaboration between John Smith and FlowTV’s Florian Tirnovan, dazzling performances by Hula Bella, Chris Fonseca and Harry Jardine, bringing their choreography to life from their ‘Follow the Signs’ show, and a captivating performance by Ro Pound who shared her love for rock music through her sign song and dance movements!
Two surprise awards followed, presented by Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich. Screenings of the award recipients’ testimonials followed, evoking both emotional and happy moments. The awards were as follows:
Deaffest 2024: Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Dramatic Arts
John Smith
Deaffest 2024: Lifetime Award for Outstanding Contribution to Stage and Screen
Jean St Clair
“I think that I haven’t missed a Deaffest festival since they started, I’ve been every year. But last night was the first time that I’ve been to the awards ceremony (I usually just come to socialise!) It was a special awards ceremony this year, so I thought I’d get a ticket and go along. I was impressed, it was fantastic!” – Dara Trainor
Photo taken by Mark Mecklenburgh, Willow Photography Ltd
The celebrations continued with the Late-Night Party event where Ahmed Mudawi took to the stage as Host and DJ Inigo added line dancing and sign songs to his music line up!
Screenings of the non-competition entries took place at the Arena Theatre throughout the following day.
If you missed out on any of the screenings at Deaffest 2024, you can catch up on the nominated entries as well as the non-competition entries on the Deaffest Online Cinema – available until tonight at midnight.
A big thank you to everybody for tuning into Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary! There are so many incredible moments and memories to reflect on!
Accolades for the smooth-running of the festival go to the Deaffest team including the Deaffest volunteers.
Also, a thank you to all those who submitted their entries to us for Deaffest 2024 and to the Film & TV Awards Judges: Clare Baines, David Ellington, Matt René, and Ted Evans.
We always welcome feedback. If you would like to share yours from Deaffest 2024 please fill in this simple form!
You can keep up to date with Deaffest’s news by subscribing here to receive e-newsletters. Plus, follow www.deaffest.co.uk and @Deaffest on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
If you took any photos at Deaffest 2024, please do tag @Deaffest! Photos from the Deaffest photography team will be online soon!
FURTHER INFORMATION
Deaffest supports and develops the talents of emerging and established d/Deaf filmmakers and artists from the UK and around the world. The biennial festival provides a platform for creatives and promotes the importance of inclusion and diversity on stage, screen and behind the camera, contributing towards building a bridge of inclusion between Deaf and hearing media, arts professionals, and industries.
Since its conception, Deaffest has enabled creatives to gain experience, hone their artistic craft, and collaborate with other creatives.
Deaffest preserves the importance of Deaf culture and heritage and removes communication barriers that have traditionally prevented Deaf people from engaging in film, media, and the arts. Crucially, the young Deaf generation gain inspiration from role models that are relevant to their own lives and experiences.
Deaffest 