Based in Wolverhampton and hosted by award-winning Deaf-led charity Zebra Access CIO, ‘Deaffest’ is the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival.
Deaffest supports and develops the talents of emerging and established D/deaf filmmakers and artists from the UK and around the globe. The biennial festival features accessible events and workshops, panel discussions, subtitled films and documentaries by international filmmakers, a stalls fair, an Art & Photography Exhibition, entertainment, a Film and TV Awards Gala, and a Late-Night Party with networking opportunities.
Deaffest preserves the importance of Deaf culture and heritage, as well as sign languages, including British Sign Language. The festival contributes towards building a bridge of inclusion between D/deaf and hearing media and arts professionals in the industry by breaking down communication barriers.
The film, media and arts opportunities the festival offers contribute to the self-confidence and empowerment of D/deaf individuals of all ages, expanding their potential to achieve.
Running for 18 years, the 15th edition of the internationally known Deaf Film & Arts Festival took place in May 2024 – celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Deaffest will be back for its 16th Festival from 8th to 10th of May 2026 with the 10th Film & TV Awards.
History
December 2006 saw the start of an exciting new era for Deaf media and creativity, with the launch of Deaffest, the UK’s principal Deaf Film and Television Festival.
Deaffest provides D/deaf filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their work, gain recognition for their achievements and receive professional support in pursuing their aspirations.
While this landmark event was the brainchild of three enterprising Wolverhampton institutions: Zebra Uno, the University of Wolverhampton, and the Light House Media Centre, Deaffest’s Co-founders and Festival Directors took on a central role in running Deaffest through their non-profit organisation, Zebra Access, in 2012.
The late Richard Griffiths OBE, known for his acting work including ‘Harry Potter’, supported Deaffest as its Patron in 2012. Deaffest’s current Patron is British Actress and Writer Rachel Shenton, known for her character ‘Mitzeee’ in Channel 4’s ‘Hollyoaks’ and featuring in the US TV show ‘Switched at Birth’. The Ambassador for Young Deaffest is Danny Murphy – a Deaf filmmaker, presenter, and actor. His accomplishments include playing the role of ‘Wesley’ in the film ‘The Parts You Lose’.
Deaffest’s vibrant programme of screenings and events, including the much-coveted Ben Steiner Film Bursary, Young Deaffest, and the Film & TV Awards, has grown over the years. You can explore the history of Deaffest’s past festivals and projects in the archive section here.
Deaffest 