As with previous years, the Deaffest team have experienced countless memorable and proud moments in 2024. This year has been truly extraordinary, marked by the celebration of Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary and the incredible recognition of both Deaffest Co-founders and Festival Directors as one of The National Lottery’s Game Changers, alongside other amazing events. The unwavering support from everyone involved in Deaffest has been truly inspiring – from those who joined us to celebrate #TuneintoDeaffests15th Edition, to the likes, loves, and heartfelt messages shared online. It’s wonderful to witness Deaffest and its mission gaining even greater recognition, continuing to grow, and showcasing to the world why it holds such vital importance.
We hope you enjoy Deaffest’s end-of-year newsletter here!
In July, Nikki had the pleasure of introducing an award at Festival Clin d’Oeil 2024. Teaming up with Ryan Commerson, Corporate Strategist for Sorenson Communications from Colorado, Nikki co-presented the Best Actress Award. They then welcomed Marvel’s first Deaf superhero, Lauren Ridloff, to the stage to present the award to Émilie Rigaud!
A huge congratulations to Émilie and all the other winners celebrated at this incredible event.
“Presenting to a large international D/deaf audience at the festival was both thrilling and nerve-wracking! Inspired by Greta Gerwig, the Director of Hollywood’s ‘Barbie’ movie, Ryan and I embraced the pink theme to draw attention to the underrepresentation of women — particularly D/deaf women — in the film industry, especially in directing and producing roles. We aim to celebrate and empower D/deaf female professionals while shedding light on the barriers they encounter in the field. True courage lies in pursuing your dreams, even when others insist they are impossible.” Nikki Stratton
Deaffest Co-founders and Festival Directors Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich attended the premiere of ’Salt & Pepper’ in Oslo, Norway on October 25th. The film, written and directed by Con Mehlum and presented by the award-winning Deaf-led company Døves Media, drew visitors from across the globe.
“We thoroughly enjoyed watching this film and were captivated by its compelling storyline, exceptional cinematography, and outstanding acting. We are strong advocates for Deaf talent in the filmmaking industry and recognise the significance of Deaf-led productions, where creators have the freedom to bring their visions and stories to life. It’s crucial to emphasise the role of Deaf Directors, Producers, and Writers in sharing their narratives authentically, using their unique perspectives and filmmaking expertise without barriers — something we passionately support in the industry.” – Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich
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