Deaffest 2026 | Events & Workshops

---

Entry to these events/workshops on Saturday 9 May 2026 is included in the daytime ticket, which can be purchased online here.

Please note that some workshops have limited places, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of ticket purchase will be required before place(s) can be confirmed. ONE form must be completed per person. One person may select up to 3 workshops.

---

---

The following events/workshops will take place across the Rosalind Franklin (MB) and Millennium City (MC) buildings, as well as the Courtyard at the University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1LY. Please note that individual events will be held in specific locations within these venues.

---

Sign in Style by stepping into a vibrant festival marketplace at the 16th edition of Deaffest! Discover a lively space where creativity and community come together. Connect with inspiring businesses and charities, explore creative stalls, and and discover what our stallholders have in store!

---

---

10:00am – 11:15am: Film With Nearly Empty Pockets

Room TBC, University of Wolverhampton

Suitable for ages 16 and over | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.

This workshop, led by filmmakers Danny Murphy, Samuel Ash, and Sam Arnold, offers an insight into developing and realising film projects with limited resources. Through close looks at Danny Murphy’s ‘Don’t Look’ and Samuel Arnold and Sam Ash’s ‘Eremos Trilogy’, participants will learn the journey from early concepts to public showcases. The session examines practical processes and creative strategies used in low-budget filmmaking, including planning, collaboration, and problem-solving. Selected film excerpts will be screened, alongside discussion of the festival theme, with a focus on production design – exploring how visual choices support storytelling, atmosphere, and authenticity on screen.

(Content Warning: This workshop may include strong language and references to sexual content and blood)

---

---

10:00am – 11:30am: Deaffest X Wonderment Beauty

Room TBC, University of Wolverhampton

Suitable for ages 14 and over | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.

Join Wonderment Beauty for an inspiring live workshop, led by Deaf professional make-up artist Nicky Weir, exploring the art of make-up and storytelling.

Learn from Nicky as she shares her make-up journey – from working with world-renowned talents like Amy Winehouse and Becky Hill, to her role in the first Deaf dating show ‘Hold My Hands’.

Experience a live make-up demo on Deaf model Imy Harris – starting with natural fashion looks and building to bold, expressive styles. Behind her, a curated beauty board will showcase Nicky’s career highlights and creative projects, giving you an inside look at her journey in the beauty and fashion industry.

Whether you’re a make-up enthusiast, a creative professional, or curious about the world of Deaf talent in beauty and media, this workshop offers inspiration, techniques, and a front-row seat to the artistry behind the looks.

Find out more about Nicky and her work via @nickyweir_m_up and @wondermentbeauty.

---

---

10:00am – 3:00pm: Play in Motion with The Cirque Trio

Courtyard, University of Wolverhampton

Suitable for ages 3 and over.

Move. Clown. Spin. Laugh. The Cirque Trio bring together imaginative circus skills, playful clowning and expressive movement in a vibrant circus experience. Led by Terry Brand, Jennifer Manning and Anabela Canica, this dynamic, hands-on workshop invites participants to experiment with new skills, stretch their creativity and build confidence.

---

---

Join comedian, actor, and BSL teacher John Smith in an interactive workshop that blends the art of acting with the healing power of comedy. Using his unique comedic lens and acting expertise, John will guide participants through improvisation, character work, and storytelling exercises designed to explore personal experiences with humour and heart. This workshop creates a supportive environment where participants can step into different roles, discover new ways to communicate their stories, and find humour and connection in life’s challenges. Laugh, express, and connect as John brings his craft to life – showing how acting and comedy can be powerful tools for understanding, coping with, and sharing mental health experiences.

---

---

The University of Wolverhampton has a long history of supporting deaf people on both under-graduate and post graduate courses. Find out about different types of support – there will be information about reasonable adjustments that the University can offer as well as information about Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and how to apply for it and the support it can offer. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and meet some of the staff from Student Life, the department that supports Deaf and disabled students at the University of Wolverhampton.

(This event will be interpreted)

---

---

Filmmakers Danny Murphy, Samuel Ash, and Sam Arnold share their experiences promoting films in this masterclass on reaching audiences through both festivals and online platforms. Using their own projects as examples, the session explores DIY methodologies, low-budget strategies, and step-by-step approaches to submitting films, building visibility, and generating engagement from start to finish. While traditional industry routes can be exclusionary, digital platforms such as YouTube and Instagram offer additional opportunities for recognition and audience outreach – particularly for low-budget and independent films. The workshop also considers how filmmakers can ensure their work reaches diverse audiences, engaging both Deaf and hearing viewers, and maximising the impact of their storytelling across multiple channels.

(Content Warning: This workshop may include strong language and references to sexual content and blood)

---

---

11:30am – 12:45pm: The Art of Social Media & Photography

Room TBC, University of Wolverhampton

Suitable for ages 16 and over | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.

Nathan Rollinson is a former TV presenter and established lifestyle brand, now specialising in social media strategy, including building and engaging audiences, content strategy and accessibility, creator–business partnerships, monetisation and brand readiness, as well as analytics, growth, and community-building. Drawing on his experience across television, fashion-led storytelling, and digital branding, Nathan will share practical insight into how creative professionals can position themselves, promote their work, and grow visibility in today’s digital landscape. Using real-world examples, short clips, and case studies from his career, Nathan will demonstrate how creative work can be amplified online without compromising authenticity. The session will be practical and interactive, offering actionable tips that attendees can immediately apply to their own projects.

---

---

A fully visual clown performance by Canadian performer Jennifer Manning and French performer Anabela Canica. It tells the story of two clownettes. One practices casting spells on the other, offering the audience a complete display of a wide range of emotions through captivating visuals.

---

---

This workshop introduces the basics of Visual Vernacular (VV) and demonstrates simple ways it can be used. Led by Deaf French VV and theatre performer Julia Pelhate and Deaf creative artist Iain Scott-Burdon, the session explores physical movement, eye focus, and expressive gestures without relying on sign language, helping you build clear visual storytelling skills. It strengthens body control, confidence, and creative expression, giving you practical tools to shape vivid narratives through movement alone.

---

---

DoP Will Clark and director/camera op Teresa Garratty lead an interactive workshop exploring the role of visuals in filmmaking. Participants will gain hands-on experience with camera work, lighting setups, and the DoP’s perspective, with a focus on how production design elements – costumes, backgrounds, props, and more – interact with camera and lighting to support storytelling. The session will include examples from Will Clark and Teresa Garratty’s work, alongside whiteboard demonstrations that engage participants in theoretical discussion and analysis. Through practical exercises and visual breakdowns, the workshop highlights how thoughtful design and lighting choices contribute to a film’s atmosphere, authenticity, and impact.

---

---

Learn the basics of music translation with French rapper VinzSlam alongside DJ Nico DiMarco! Discover how English song lyrics can be turned into Sign Language using creativity, rhythm, and expression. Through rap and hip-hop, you’ll explore how beats, words, and emotions come alive through movement and style. Nico DiMarco will share his real-life experiences in music, and you’ll get to know both artists’ passion for music through videos that showcase their on-stage performances.

---

---

2:15pm – 3:15pm: Vision and Scale: Filmmaking Across Boundaries

MC001, University of Wolverhampton

A discussion with Deaf producers and directors exploring distinct approaches to vision, scale, and storytelling. The panel will examine how budgets and resources shape creative decisions, and the ways small or large productions can support – or challenge -ideas. Panellists will address practical realities such as funding, industry access, maintaining authenticity, and inclusion of Deaf talent. They’ll also discuss strategies for advancing Deaf talent in film, particularly new directors and producers, and highlight the importance of representation and authenticity in their work. They They will also share why they made their film, its impact after release, and how they promote it, while reflecting on how experiences differ depending on production scale and resources.

This panel discussion will be interpreted.

---

---

Have a go at designing and making something unique with recycled denim alongside Laura Tailor! Latvian-born and London-based, Laura is a Deaf fashion designer and bespoke tailor specialising in sustainable denim clothing for men and women. Discover the craft of transforming recycled materials into a stylish, one-of-a-kind pencil case and explore your creativity in this hands-on workshop – then take your creation home with pride!

(This workshop involves needles and sewing tools.)

---

---

3:15pm – 4:00pm: Beyond Visibility: Deaf LGBTQ+ Creatives in Film & TV

MC001, University of Wolverhampton

This panel brings together Deaf LGBTQ+ filmmakers and creatives to explore queer representation and access in Film & TV. Drawing from lived experience, panellists will examine the gaps in storytelling, employment, and decision-making, with a focus on Deaf creatives. The discussion will cover how intersecting Deaf and LGBTQ+ identities shape creative practice and career pathways, challenges around visibility and disclosure, and what remains underrepresented or unexplored on screen and behind the scenes.

Panellists will identify barriers, share strategies for change, and discuss what meaningful inclusion and access should look like moving forward. Attendees will gain insights into industry realities, emerging opportunities, and practical ways to support and strengthen Deaf LGBTQ+ participation in Film and TV.

This event will be interpreted.

---

---

4:00pm to 4:45pm: Seen on Screen: The Power of Visual Storytelling

MC001, University of Wolverhampton

Rooted in the festival programme, this panel brings together curated screening clips and a bold discussion on the role of visuals and cinematography in shaping screen storytelling. It examines how key visual creatives, from costume designers to directors of photography, define character, identity, and meaning on screen, while foregrounding Deaf representation across these roles and identifying clear, actionable pathways to advance Deaf creatives and inclusion across the film industry.

This panel discussion will be interpreted.