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
Excitement is building around the news that production is underway for ‘Retreat’, a Deaf thriller featuring an all-deaf principal cast. The film is written and directed by Ted Evans, a name well-known to Deaffest audiences!
The thriller is connected to Ted Evans’ short film ‘Retreat’, which he developed and directed through Deaffest’s Ben Steiner Bursary scheme, an award he won in 2013.
The Ben Steiner Bursary, launched in 2009, was created in memory of the late Ben Steiner, a British Sign Language interpreter, Senior Lecturer, and a passionate, talented individual deeply committed to the Deaf community. Renowned for his love of the arts and his dedication to supporting Deaf individuals in the film industry, Ben left behind a lasting legacy.
The Bursary was established to provide D/deaf aspiring filmmakers aged 18 and over with the opportunity to produce a film and showcase their work to a broader audience. It included a filmmaking course led by deaf award-winning director John Maidens and participants were required to pitch their proposals to a judging panel. ‘Retreat’ premiered at Deaffest 2013 and went on to win awards at festivals.
If you haven’t watched ‘Retreat’ (2013) yet, you can find it on the BFI Player here. (Keep an eye out for familiar faces like Adam Bassett, Sophie Stone, Brian Duffy, and Stephen Collins!)
The new ‘Retreat’ will feature Anne Zander, James Boyle, Sophie Stone, and Ace Mahbaz. To learn more about this thriller, visit its IMDb page here.
Here are some photos from The National Lottery’s 30th birthday celebration, held on the evening of Tuesday, 19th November 2024, at the iconic Science Museum in London. Hosted by leading global lottery operator Allwyn UK, the event spotlighted the National Lottery’s Game Changers, including Deaffest Co-founder and Festival Directors Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich. High-profile attendees included Andria Vidler, Adrian Lester, Sir John Major, Adjoa Andoh, and Chris Evans. The evening was further enriched by live music performances and a special celebration marking the National Lottery’s 30th birthday!
Deaffest 