July 15, 2025
Deaffest x Film’Ô: Nikki Stratton Reflects on an Inspiring Visit to Toulouse for the Film’Ô Festival!
We had the honour of being invited to attend the second Deaf-led Film’Ô Festival in Toulouse, France (13th–14th June 2025) – a celebration of Deaf cinema showcasing a stunning lineup of predominantly French short films, all captioned in English.
The experience was both inspiring and deeply moving. Sitting among an audience of over 700 Deaf attendees – most of whom were French and communicated through LSF (Langue des Signes Française) – was a powerful reminder of the richness and diversity within the global Deaf community.
While I don’t sign LSF myself, I’m deeply impressed by the language and acutely aware of its historical significance, particularly in Toulouse, which is home to the renowned bilingual Deaf school.
The Directors’ Q&A session on Friday offered valuable insight into the current and future landscape of Deaf filmmaking. Passionate discussions centred around expanding access to professional development, including training opportunities in film production conducted in sign language. These initiatives, still in their early stages, hold great promise for empowering Deaf creatives to further their careers – both within the Deaf community and in the mainstream film industry.
Saturday’s events took place at the prestigious Pathé Wilson Cinema, where we had the opportunity to watch the full lineup of films ahead of the awards ceremony. The ceremony itself was a fantastic celebration of talent, broadcast live on a large screen with International Sign interpreters present throughout. This made the event truly inclusive, allowing the audience to enjoy every speech, expression, and reaction from the winners as they received their accolades.
A significant number of the films, created by both seasoned professionals and emerging Deaf filmmakers, left a lasting impression on us. We are genuinely excited about the possibility of bringing some of these remarkable films to Deaffest in 2026.
A heartfelt thank you to Film’Ô Festival Director Michel Gonzalez and Secretary Timothée Massenet for warmly welcoming us and including us in this extraordinary event. It was truly an honour to be part of such a remarkable celebration. Witnessing and celebrating the incredible skills and talents within the Deaf filmmaking community – all within an atmosphere of connection, creativity, and cultural pride – was an unforgettable experience! Whilst we remain committed to championing all Deaf creatives in the film industry, we look forward to the continued growth and development of more Deaf-led films.
Our visit to Film’Ô Festival has been made possible with support from Film Hub Midlands through funds from the National Lottery. Film Hub Midlands support people to watch, show, and make films in the Midlands.
On June 10th, the National Lottery marked the culmination of its 30th anniversary celebrations with a special evening reception held at Speaker’s House. Deaffest Co-Founders and Festival Directors Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich – recognised as two of the National Lottery Arts & Film Game Changers – attended the event at the Palace of Westminster in London. They joined fellow Game Changers, Members of Parliament, peers, and partners in commemorating the milestone!
The reception highlighted the National Lottery’s three decades of transformative contributions, showcasing the substantial funds raised for Good Causes and the impact of more than 650,000 grants awarded across the arts, heritage, sport, and community sectors. The event also looked ahead, celebrating ongoing efforts to support and uplift communities nationwide. Learn more about the event here!
The photos above were taken at The Speaker’s House and feature Deaffest Co-Founders Nikki Stratton and Marilyn Willrich, BFI CEO Ben Roberts, Heritage Game Changer Chantelle Lindsay, and representatives from Allwyn UK
Deaffest had the immense privilege of commemorating two remarkable milestones in early May: the 20th anniversary of the legendary John Smith’s comedy career and his 60th birthday! The celebratory weekend was truly unforgettable, drawing an enthusiastic crowd to the Newstead Centre to honour a beloved icon of the Deaf community.
The festivities were filled with unforgettable highlights. The incomparable John Smith brought the house down with his signature brand of side-splitting humour, leaving audiences laughing throughout. Colin Thomson delivered soul-stirring sign songs that moved and mesmerised, while the ever-talented Richard Carter captivated attendees with his powerful and emotive poetry. Adding a magical flair to the celebration was none other than Magic Morgan from the USA, whose spellbinding performance lit up the stage and added an international sparkle to the event.
A special Q&A session offered fans a rare opportunity to engage directly with John, asking questions about his incredible journey, creative inspirations, and the enduring legacy he has built over two decades in comedy and performance.
In recognition of his extraordinary impact on the arts, John Smith was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Dramatic Arts Award at Deaffest 2024. This accolade celebrates not only his exceptional talent but also his lasting contributions to the worlds of comedy and drama within the Deaf community.
And if you haven’t yet had the chance to watch John’s interview on ‘Deaffest: Rewind’ from a few years ago, don’t miss out – be sure to check it out and take a trip down memory lane with one of the community’s most cherished figures!
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