Innocents of Oppression author Nick Sturley will be present at this year’s Deaffest. This is your opportunity to speak to Nick and obtain your signed copy of Innocents of Oppression!
This all new work of fiction begins in 1977 when Chris, a popular but troubled 13-year old, meets a new boy Aaron at a traditional boarding school in England where sign language is banned. Their close friendship immediately forms but is then thrown into unexpected situations, trying to accept themselves as well as juggling with their classes, loyalty and sexuality as they embark on a trouble-some journey.
The school’s pupils and teachers have issues of their own – such as the challenges of adolescence, language barriers, family life, bullying, school politics and abuse.
But it’s the new teacher from West Germany who brings with him a blind hatred towards sign language, the shocking truth behind its suppression and the escalating tension against the oralist oppression at the school soon surfaces and the story culminates with a shattering climax that changes the school, forever.
Innocents of Oppression is a powerful and controversial coming-of-age story bringing forth an array of other characters’ funny, thought-provoking and disturbing accounts that are based on real-life experiences. It takes a candid insight into the life of an oral boarding school viewed from both Deaf and hearing perspectives and it also incorporates real Deaf issues and history, making this groundbreaking work of fiction an unforgettable read.
Pick up your signed copy at Deaffest 2013!
Deaffest is proud to announce the shortlisted films for the 4th Film Gala Awards that will take place at Deaffest 2013 on Saturday 18th May at 8pm. Tickets are required to attend this prestigious event and you can buy your ticket now by visiting this page.
Before the nominations are revealed, here are the previous winners of the 1st to 3rd Film Gala Awards, which can be viewed here.
Best British Film
Champion of the World | Dir. Bim Ajadi.
Confession | Dir. Julian Peedle-Calloo.
Strangers | Dir. Brian Duffy.
September 11 | Dir. Raabia Hussain.
Still Here | Dir. Louis Neethling.
The End | Dir. Ted Evans.
Best Documentary
Crossing the Divide | Dir. Cathy Heffernan.
Punk Chef | Dir. Camilla Arnold.
300 SECS | Dir. David Ellington & David Hay.
Who Cares? | Dir. Camilla Arnold.
Best International Film
Frequency | Dir. Mindy Drapsa, Sweden.
Here In Silence | Dir. Jake Willis, Australia.
Identidad | Dir. Alejandro Figueras, Spain.
Jacob’s Story | Dir. Alice Ansara, Australia.
Best Actress
Aliya Gulamani | September 11
Rebecca-Anne Withey | Life Out There
Rebecca Zelic | Champion of the World
Sophie Stone | Confession
Best Actor
Alex Nowak | The End
Hal Draper | Still Here
Terry Edwards | The End
William Grint | Strangers
Best Director
Bim Ajadi | Champion of the World
Camilla Arnold | Who Cares?
Louis Neethling | Still Here
Ted Evans | The End
You may recognise Gavin Lilley, known for his love of Star Trek, where his sign name originates. At Deaffest 2012 he co-hosted the festival last year with the elegant Elizabeth Bojas! If you did not attend Deaffest last year, then you should recognise Gavin as he is also the co-presenter of The Hub, currently in its third season! Gavin made his stand up comedy debut at the sold out Live At Green Lanes in November 2012, throwing the audience into a state of hysteria. Make sure you come to the 4th Film Gala Awards and the Late Night Deaf Party at Deaffest 2013 to see his cuckoo’s world as he tells it! You can get your tickets to both 4th Film Gala Awards and the Late Night Deaf Party by visiting this link here.
Gavin himself has a passion for international travel, culture and sign languages. He is 4th (possibly 5th) deaf generation so has been involved in the deaf world since birth. His humour draws from the best of both deaf and hearing worlds – observations of everyday life within society as a deaf person, the hilarious idiosyncrasies of signed languages and these moments of cross cultural bewilderment! Drawing on his life experience and from his career, Gavin’s observations of deaf intuition and the sheer idiocy that several members of society possess are exposed!
Deaffest 