It’s been 6 months since the exciting announcement that Deaffest Co-Founders and Festival Directors Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich were named among the National Lottery’s Arts & Film Game Changers!
Following the October announcement, the striking gold 3D Deaffest sign was unveiled during Ouchhh Studio’s ’Symphony of the Game Changers’ illumination at the V&A Exhibition Road Courtyard in November. The news spread across the UK – even making its way into The Times!
The celebration continued at The National Lottery’s 30th birthday event in London, attended by well-known guests like Adrian Lester OBE (known for ‘Hustle’ and ’The Day After Tomorrow’), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury in ‘Bridgerton’), and Radio and TV Presenter Chris Evans.
In December, Nikki and Marilyn attended an event hosted by the British Film Institute at BFI Southbank, where they discussed the essential role the National Lottery has played in supporting the festival. They shared inspiring stories of filmmakers, particularly highlighting the impact of the Ben Steiner Bursary – such as Ted Evans, whose project ‘Retreat’ is currently in post-production as a feature film. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session featuring legendary Richard Curtis!
The year wrapped up with the ITV ‘New Year’s Eve Big Bash’ programme, which featured a glimpse of the Deaffest sign from the ‘Symphony of the Game Changers illumination’! Well done to all the incredible Game Changers involved – keep inspiring!
Deaffest 