Since the recent announcement that Deaffest Co-founders and Festival Directors, Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich, have been named among The National Lottery Arts and Film Game Changers, it has been fantastic to see Deaffest gain further recognition!
Founded in 2006 in Wolverhampton by Deaf entrepreneurs Marilyn Willrich and Nikki Stratton, Deaffest has grown to become the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival. Hosted under the award-winning Deaf-led charity Zebra Access CIO, Deaffest is held biennially, with its 15th edition taking place in 2024. Additionally, there are also a host of off-shoot events to ensure their agenda has a platform year-round (i.e. Deaffest on Tour and the Deaffest Online Cinema).
“Our goal is to create a space where D/deaf creatives could come together to celebrate our language and culture while supporting and showcasing the talents of D/deaf filmmakers and artists. We are fortunate to have connections with industry role models who inspire us, and it’s incredibly important to pass that inspiration on to the next generation. We’re proud of how far Deaffest has come and the opportunities it has created for so many. Thanks to the support from National Lottery funding, it’s exciting to see Deaffest and our mission gaining greater recognition from a wide range of audiences, and we hope this continues to grow.” – Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich
On the evening of Friday, November 1, 2024, seven inspiring Game Changer stories, including the one mentioned above, were celebrated at an event featuring the mesmerising “Symphony of the Game Changers” illumination, which lit up the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington. Watching the Deaffest sign appear from the projection was truly inspiring!
Created by Ouchhh Studio, the ’Symphony of the Game Changers’ is the UK’s first artwork of its kind—an AI-powered projection that uses advanced cognitive technology to visualise the brainwaves of the Arts and Film Game Changers. This unique installation brings their journeys, inspirations, and impacts to life in a stunning display.
This installation is the fourth and final in a series of displays held across the UK in the lead-up to The National Lottery’s 30th anniversary this month, with each installation highlighting one theme: Community, Heritage, Sports, and Arts & Film. In honour of this milestone, The National Lottery is celebrating 30 Game Changers — including Nikki and Marilyn — who have achieved remarkable accomplishments with support from National Lottery funding.
With 28 Game Changers already announced, the final two will be unveiled during The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash, set to air on ITV on December 31.
Notes to Editors
Deaffest supports, develops and showcases the talents of both emerging and established D/deaf filmmakers and artists from the UK and around the globe. Through its wide array of events, the festival plays a vital role in preserving Deaf culture, heritage, and sign languages from around the world, including British Sign Language (BSL) through film and arts. It highlights the richness and diversity of Deaf culture, offering a platform for D/deaf filmmakers and artists to share their stories, knowledge, and experiences. In doing so, Deaffest provides inspiration, education, and empowerment for future generations of D/deaf individuals.
Deaffest is recognised for its influential role in promoting Deaf culture and bringing attention to the challenges that D/deaf individuals encounter in the arts and media sectors. By fostering a deeper global understanding and appreciation of Deaf culture, Deaffest ensures that D/deaf creatives and audiences have equal access to cultural experiences as their hearing counterparts.
Now in its nearly 20 years, the internationally known Deaf Film & Arts Festival will return to Wolverhampton from May 8th to 10th, 2026 for its 16th edition and 10th Film & TV Awards. Deaffest 2026 will feature subtitled premieres and screenings, exhibitions, accessible workshops and events, panel discussions, performances, networking opportunities, all presented alongside with high-profile and surprise guests, as well as virtual streaming via the Deaffest Online Cinema.
To contact Deaffest, please email PR Liaison Officer Louise Parrott at lou@zebra-access.com.
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