Saturday 11th May 2024
PLEASE NOTE: There will be events/ activities happening in two different locations:
1) University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY
2) Arena Theatre, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE
TICKET IS REQUIRED FOR SATURDAY DAYTIME EVENTS. Click here to get yours!
***Further events and workshops will be added soon!***
10.00am – 4.00pm: Deaffest Stalls Fair
Rosalind Franklin (MB) Building & Courtyard, University of Wolverhampton
At the 15th Anniversary festival, you can come along and enjoy a variety of stalls to your delectation, gather information from business/charity stalls, browse the creative stalls and exhibited works on the walls, and try out the tasty food stalls!
10:00am – 11:00am: Get Hula Hooping with Hula Bella
MI036, University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 16-25 | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.
Make a hula hoop and learn the choreography of hula hooping with Monica Foletta, aka Hula Bella! From Southern California, Hula Bella has been hula hooping for over a decade – find out her story of how she became a professional Hula Hooper and how she stands out as a Deaf performer. Learn how to develop your personal style, using your hands and body movements in this workshop, plus pick up some hula hooping tricks!
10:00am – 12:00pm: Creating Content with Danny & Jazzy
MI041, University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 16-25 | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
Get ready for an exciting workshop with Danny Murphy and Jazzy Whipps! During the workshop, you’ll learn about social media, see some behind-the-scenes stuff from Danny and Jazzy’s lives, and play fun games to get to know each other. Danny and Jazzy have different experiences with making content and will be sharing their tips with you.
Then, get ready for a challenge: you’ll split into teams and make a one-minute video on a surprise topic while Danny and Jazzy will help you out by giving you advice. After making the videos, we’ll watch them together and talk about what we learned. It’s going to be a fun and educational day!
10:00am – 3:00pm: Visual Mime by DeafMimo
Courtyard, University of Wolverhampton
Watch out for DeafMimo, aka Stephen Robinson, around the courtyard at Deaffest! He will entertain you with his impressive miming skills along with his Charlie Chaplin-inspired facial expressions and comical movements. His little pal, the orangutang, will also be delighted to meet you!
10:00am – 3:00pm: Shiver Me Timbers – It’s Captain Smithy!
Courtyard, University of Wolverhampton
Get ready to say ‘ahoy there’ to Captain Smithy as he will jaunt around the festival, scouring high and low for precious doubloons. You can’t miss him with his tricorn hat and pirate lingo signing!
10:00am – 3:00pm: Terry’s Poi and Circus Workshop
Courtyard, University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 3 and over.
Learn how to juggle, spin poi, hula hoop, use diabolo and flower sticks – and more with Terry’s Poi and Circus! This is a hands-on and inclusive workshop where you can learn new skills, build confidence and have lots of fun!
10.00am – 5.00pm: Screenings (Nominated Entries)
Click here for the screening programme at the Arena Theatre and the University of Wolverhampton.
10:30am – 11:30am: Sign Song for Fun
Seminar Room, Arena Theatre
Suitable for all ages, plus families (beginners welcome) | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
Sign song for fun with experienced signed song performer Rebecca A. Withey. Families, children and those who are new to sign song are welcome to join this workshop in a relaxed, laidback and fun environment.
11:00am – 12:20pm: Mental Health: Laughing with Humour
MI046, University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 16 and over | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
A safe space with Comedian, Actor and Teacher John Smith where everyday life’s barriers and experiences can be openly shared. John will bring his observations to life using his unique sense of humour, leaving you laughing with humour!
11:15am – 11:30am: The Duo Pirate Captains
Courtyard, University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for little pirates, adults are welcome
Yo ho ho! Come and join Captain Smithy and C’ptn Maz in this interactive BSL story-telling event! The Captains will share pirate tales of the Seven Seas, plus enjoy some sea shanties… SAVVY!
12:00pm – 1:00pm: Sign Song for Performance
Tilstone Area, Arena Theatre
Suitable for ages 16 and over | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
Participants with experience in signed song will learn from experienced signed song performer Rebecca A. Withey in translating lyrics, honing their performance style and creating their own bespoke performance.
12.15pm – 1:00pm: Entering the World of Filmmaking
Meeting point: Foyer area in Rosalind Franklin (MB) Building, University of Wolverhampton
Tour is for all ages | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.
Visiting the studios and teaching spaces within the University of Wolverhampton. Be inspired with the filmmaking process and learn about opportunities to take up courses.
(This event will be interpreted)
12:30pm – 2:00pm: Follow The Signs
MI058, University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 16 – 25 | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
Learn from Co-Artistic Directors of Fuse Theatre CIC, Chris Fonseca and Harry Jardine, in this workshop about the creative process of theatre production, working together, and experiencing some choreography from their ‘Follow the Signs’ show.
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Connect & Laugh: Communication
Seminar Room, Arena Theatre
Suitable for ages 16 and over | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
Master the art of connecting through humour with Swedish FLOW TV’s Florian Tirnovan! Discover how laughter can enhance your interactions from breaking the ice to building a lasting rapport. Learn when to use humour to charm and communicate effectively, and when a different approach is more appropriate. If you’re looking for an engaging exploration of the power of comedic communication, then this workshop is for you!
1:40pm – 2:10pm: Premiere of ava’s story and Director Q&A
MC001, University of Wolverhampton
ava’s story – Dir. Danny Murphy, UK, 2024 (Dur. 10min)
“Ava’s Story” is a compelling drama unravelling the dangers of online grooming. Witness 14-year-old Ava’s descent into manipulation at the hands of an older boy named Lewis as their virtual relationship takes a dark turn. Through Ava’s harrowing journey, the film sheds light on the pervasive risks of online interactions and the resilience required to confront them. This event will be interpreted.
2:15pm – 2:50pm: Keeping it Real – Supporting Deaf Writers in Preserving the Authenticity of Deaf Cultural Language Dialogue in Deaf Film and TV Screenplay
MC001, University of Wolverhampton
An insight into creating British Sign Language drama scripts/screenplay and discussing avenues to support writers/directors in preserving the authenticity of Sign Language dialogue without the intervention of English.
This panel discussion will be interpreted.
3:00pm – 4:00pm: An Interview with Nyle DiMarco + Meet-and-Greet with Nyle!
MC001, University of Wolverhampton
Co-Founders of Deaffest Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich will be interviewing Nyle DiMarco! New York Times bestselling author, Nyle, has broken down barriers and won over audiences since he burst onto the scene in 2014. A successful model and actor, Nyle was featured in episodes of QUEER AS FOLK, STATION 19, and SWITCHED AT BIRTH. As a producer, Nyle was the driving force behind such successful programs as DEAF U and AUDIBLE on Netflix, the former earning an Academy Award nomination. There’ll be a meet-and-greet opportunity and if you have a copy of his book ‘Deaf Utopia: A Memoir – and a Love Letter to a Way of Life’, bring this along if you would like Nyle’s autograph!
This event will be interpreted.
3:00pm – 4:00pm: Visual Vernacular with Zoë McWhinney
Tilstone Area, Arena Theatre
Suitable for ages 16 and over | WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL
Find your inner Visual Vernacular (VV) maestro with Zoë! Participants will be guided through four techniques to imagine, create, and perfect their VV piece – be it 30 seconds long or 3 minutes long. The workshop includes fun VV games, exercises, and challenges for all abilities!
4:00pm to 4:45pm: BFI Film Fund – Opportunities, Accessibility, and Support for Deaf Filmmakers
MC001, University of Wolverhampton
Award-winning Deaf Directors Bim Ajadi and Samuel Dore share their experiences of how they advanced their filmmaking careers through BFI funding streams. Explore how Deaf producers/directors can climb the ladder by securing finances through BFI, turning their film ambitions into reality.
This panel discussion will be interpreted.
Deaffest 