Deaffest’s previously annual festival is set to become a biennial event, with the next festival to be held in Spring 2019 and new plans introduced for 2018.
“Deaffest has decided to place their main focus for 2018 on supporting and developing the talents of emerging and established UK and international deaf filmmakers and artists. We have a lot to offer and we feel strongly that through the opportunities, training and support that we offer, deaf people, including the younger generation, will have the opportunity to not only get involved with the arts, culture and media, but to participate in events that are representative of their own culture and lives.” Marilyn Willrich and Nikki Stratton.
Deaffest launched their first festival in 2006 and it has been held annually in Wolverhampton ever since. Deaffest is now one of the longest running Deaf-led film & arts festivals. Over the years, the festival has supported, developed and celebrated the talents of many deaf artists and filmmakers, showcasing their work through film screenings, art exhibitions, the annual Young Deaffest Film Award and the biennial Film Awards.
Photo taken by Diana Martin
Photo taken by Diana Martin
Photo taken by Mark Mecklenburgh, Willow Photography Ltd
There is a general lack of accessible opportunities in the arts and media world, which means that deaf people struggle to fully participate in this realm. Deaf audiences rarely have the opportunity to attend creative events which are representative of their own culture and lives. Deaffest will focus on introducing opportunities in 2018 that aim to educate deaf people about the arts, culture and media, inspire them to participate, and enable them to experience what we have to offer, as well as providing a pathway which enables them to do so.
One of our aims is to inspire young deaf people to get more involved in the arts and media in a bid to nurture their creative talents, which enhances their overall educational development, as well as promoting the skills that could lead them to become part of the next generation of deaf artistic talent.
Deaffest will be making further exciting announcements about forthcoming projects in the near future on www.deaffest.co.uk, where the date of Deaffest 2019 will also be announced.
If you would like to support Deaffest, whether that be by making a donation or through sponsorship – please do get in touch with Nikki Stratton at nikki@zebra-access.com. If you would like to share ideas/proposals for Deaffest – get in touch with us at enquiries@deaffest.co.uk. With your support, Deaffest can continue to offer high-quality and accessible events and workshops for deaf people of all ages.
For more information please contact PR Liaison Officer Louise Parrott: Lou@zebra-access.com.
I know some of you are keen to know the date of the next Deaffest festival and we will be making an announcement in near future!
Meanwhile, if you would like to support Deaffest, whether that be by making a donation or through sponsorship – do get in touch with us at enquiries@deaffest.co.uk.
With your support, Deaffest can continue to offer high-quality and accessible film screenings, workshops and performances, inspiring the young deaf generation to get more involved with arts and culture. This development of their skills could contribute to the next generation of artistic talent, not only in this country, but worldwide. The festival strives to continue discovering, supporting and developing the talents of ambitious emerging and established filmmakers and artists from the UK and around the globe. Also, importantly, to provide inspiring role models for everybody, including the younger generation.
Last week we shared the news that Co-Founders of Deaffest and Zebra Uno‘s Directors Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich had joined the biennial deaf international arts festival Clin d’Oeil, which took place last weekend from 6th-9th July.
Some of you that did not attend may have been following the updates about the Clin d’Oeil Festival and, if you haven’t, you can view the photos on their Facebook page. You will see a glimpse of Nikki and Marilyn looking fantastic on the stage!
Enjoying the hot weather throughout the weekend in Reims, Nikki and Marilyn had the opportunity to witness various performances, which took place in several locations and they also interacted with international filmmakers and artists. They had the pleasure of meeting various well-known deaf talents including Finish rap artist Signmark, DJ Nico DiMarco from the USA (you may recognise the surname as he is the twin brother of model, actor and Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco), John Maucere from the USA known for his superhero character ‘SuperDeafy’ (who was also one of the MCs of Clin d’Oeil Festival) and the lovely Maxim Fomitchev, known as Maximime – a physical comedian clown and actor from Canada! Nikki and Marilyn were also delighted to be reunited with the Beethoven’s Nightmare band, VV Maestro Giuseppe Giuranna and USA musician Sean Forbes (all of whom have previously performed at Deaffest).
Saturday 8th July was a very busy day for judges Nikki, Louis Neethling, Pierre Louis Levacher, Veronique Berthonneau and Marie Bresson. They spent the day watching films that had been submitted from all over the world and judging the winning entries. We are pleased to reveal that amongst the winners, were a couple of Brits! Jean St Clair won the Best Actress for Signs of an Affair and Heathlands School for the Deaf won Best Film in the Youth Film category for their film SSL. Huge congratulations to all of the winners, as well as the nominees!
“It was inspirational to watch films created by talented deaf filmmakers. I particularly enjoyed watching the deaf youth films. They are the new generation of filmmakers and it is our duty to support them, as well as help them grow.” – Nikki Stratton
“I’m so pleased that Jean St. Clair won the award for Best Actress for Signs of an Affair and I am honoured to have collected the award on her behalf.” – Marilyn Willrich.
The film awards ceremony, which took place at the La Comédie de Reims, was well attended and was followed by a Deaf Party, where various performances by incredibly talented deaf artists took place on the stage. With Reims being famous as the capital of France’s Champagne region – quite a few corks were popped that night!
“It was wonderful to see all those amazing creative souls gather at Clin d’Oeil Festival and to see the festival goers join in the celebration of these unique deaf artists. Festivals like Clin d’Oeil and Deaffest are of great importance to enable the world to see the amazing work of deaf artists and filmmakers, and to inspire the next generation to ensure the creative talent continues.” – Nikki Stratton.
Deaffest is proud to support Clin d’Oeil Festival. A big thank you to Director David de Keyzer and the Clin d’Oeil Festival for inviting Nikki and Marilyn over and congratulations on another successful festival. As Clin d’Oeil Festival is a biennial festival, they will be set to return in 2019, so watch this space!
Deaffest 