Deaf dancers Billy Read and Ava Marissa Blake will be performing at Deaffest 2015 on the evening of Saturday 16th May. If you want to be inspired, you’d better hotfoot it down to the festival!
A big welcome to award winning filmmaker, William Mager as Judge of Young Deaffest 2015!
William Mager is a Series Producer at the BBC for See Hear, one of the BBC’s longest running programmes since its introduction in 1981 – also the longest running programme made for deaf people by deaf people in the world.
William has made over 50 30 minute programmes in British Sign Language with a wide-ranging editorial remit. He has explored hot topics such as access to healthcare, he has highlighted the achievements of successful deaf people, unearthed untold histories and given audiences food for thought with studio debates.
William also collaborates with other areas of the BBC, including News, Online, Drama and CBBC, to ensure that programmes featuring deaf contributors and deaf roles are portrayed in the right way and are accessible to deaf and hearing audiences.
William has also written for BBC News Online, Wired and The Limping Chicken, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast speaking about controversial issues that affect the deaf community.
Outside of his day job at the BBC, William likes to direct films that create a buzz. His recent short films such as Hands Solo and My Song have been shown around the world and have picked up numerous awards internationally. He has won an award for best short film at Deaffest for Stiletto, and has many happy memories of premiering his films at the festival.
Deaffest 