Saturday 11th May 2024
1:40pm – 2:10pm
MC001, University of Wolverhampton
Premiere of ava’s story and Director Q&A
This event will be interpreted.
ava’s story
Dir. Danny Murphy, UK, 2024 (Dur. 10min)
“Ava’s Story” is a compelling drama unraveling the dangers of online grooming. Witness 14-year-old Ava’s descent into manipulation at the hands of an older boy named Lewis as their virtual relationship takes a dark turn. Through Ava’s harrowing journey, the film sheds light on the pervasive risks of online interactions and the resilience required to confront them.
Film Credits:
Director and Editor: Danny Murphy
Producer: Louis Neethling
Writer: Jovita Bodamer-MacGregor
Production Manager: Alison Lynch
Art Director: Sian Stephens
Hair & Makeup Artist: Hannah McCormick
Director of Photography (DOP): Samuel Ash
Camera Assistant: William Horsefield
Interpreters: Charlotte Trimm and Jess Johnson
Sound Recordist: Luke Finn
Sound Designer: Dan Pugsley
Assistant Sound Designer: Matthew Noble
Colourist: Alex Bjorstorp
Runner: Leigh Ann
SignHealth Representatives: Chelsea Eguizabal, Isabel Hearn, Sankeetha Gathani
Special Thanks: Charlie Swinbourne, Megan Murphy, Reese Dowdican
CAST:
Ava: Chloe Burton
Lewis: Clinton Osondu
Adrian: Jude Powell
Theresa: Libby Welsh
Presenter: Fausta Jablonskyte
With the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery, the brand new ‘Deaffest Online Cinema’ has launched!
The nominated and non-competition entries will be screened at Deaffest on Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of May 2024 (information available here). If you prefer to catch up on the screenings before the festival, you can watch the nominated entries and the non-competition entries on Deaffest’s Online Cinema.
It’s FREE TO ACCESS Deaffest’s Online Cinema.
Deaffest’s screening archives are also available online, including films from the Young Deaf Filmmakers Scheme, the Ben Steiner Bursary, and the Deaffest: Rewind episodes.
1. If you already have an account with Eventive – you only need to log in.
2. If you DO NOT have an account with Eventive – you will need to register your details at https://watch.eventive.org/me
3. When you have registered, close the window and visit the Deaffest Online Cinema – enjoy!
The Deaffest Online Cinema (DOC) has been extended to 31st May due to high demand. You can watch the nominated and non-competition entries until 11.59pm (GMT) on 31st May!
Please note: Alfredo Corrado and The Blooming are no longer on the DOC.
Deaffest’s screening archives will still be available to view after 31st May.
Monica Foletta, aka Hula Bella, is a professional Hula Hooper who will be leading two exciting workshops at the festival on Saturday the 11th of May!
10:00am – 11:00am: Get Hula Hooping with Hula Bella
University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 16-25 | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.
Make a hula hoop and learn the choreography of hula hooping with Monica Foletta, aka Hula Bella! From Southern California, Hula Bella has been hula hooping for over a decade – find out her story of how she became a professional Hula Hooper and how she stands out as a Deaf performer. Learn how to develop your personal style, using your hands and body movements in this workshop, plus pick up some hula hooping tricks!
1:00pm – 2:00pm: It’s Hula Hoop Time!
University of Wolverhampton
Suitable for ages 11-16 | Pre-booking is required – click here to book your place.
Join in hooping with America’s professional Hula Hooper – Hula Bella! Learn how to master a Hula Hoop using your arms, elbows, wrists, knees, nose and more. Hula Bella will share some tricks for you to try out. Keep practising your hula hooping skills when you get home and show your family and friends!
If you are joining the Film & TV Awards Gala and the Late-Night Party, get ready to be awed by her incredibly hula-hooping skills!
Tickets are required to access the Saturday events. Have you got your tickets yet? If not, get yours here!
Meet Hula Bella, a seasoned performer from the vibrant city of Los Angeles! With over 13 years of experience as a professional Hula Hoop and Fire Eating Dancer, she brings a mesmerising blend of skill and artistry to the stage. She has been a certified Hoop Dance teacher since 2016 and clinched victory at Deaf’s Got Talent in 2021!
Her captivating performances have graced diverse venues, from the eerie setting of the Monster on Haunted Ship Queen Mary for Halloween Season in Long Beach, CA, to the electrifying atmosphere of festivals like Coachella and Burning Man. She’s not just limited to hearing festivals; she’s also shined at Deaf events across the globe, including Festival Clin D’œil (twice), the Summer Party in Munich, and the Della Awards in Berlin, among others. From productions like being part of the Omnium Circus fall tour in 2023, where she dazzled audiences as both a Poet and Hula Hooper, to intimate gatherings at small organisations, communities, and Deaf schools throughout the US, Hula Bella’s talent knows no bounds.
Beyond her fiery, fearless persona as a performer, Hula Bella is a seasoned Graphic Designer Artist with over 20 years of experience. During the challenging times of COVID-19, she seized the opportunity to expand her repertoire by delving into roller skating. She even hosts monthly ‘ASL SK8 DAY,’ bringing together her love for American Sign Language and roller skating in a unique and inclusive event. Hula Bella’s journey is a testament to her boundless creativity and unwavering dedication to her craft. She is an advocate and challenges the daily norms to understand it’s essential to be inclusive and have Deaf Individuals everywhere!
Deaffest 