The film premieres listed below will take place at the LockWorks Cinema (18 Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 1HT) on Friday 8th May. All screenings are subtitled. To purchase your ticket and choose your time slot, visit here.
8:05pm / 9:35pm: The Eye | Dir. Deanne Bray, USA, 2026 (Dur. 25min)
In this sly comic zinger from Director Deanne Bray and Executive Producer Troy Kotsur, a hearing Hollywood casting director is having no luck casting a Deaf role, whom she thinks are inexperienced. When an actor named Frank (played by John Maucere) walks in, however, the casting director gets more than she bargained for.
Content warning: This programme contains language and behaviour that may be triggering for members of the signing community. Some signs used in the film may be inaccurate or differ from internationally recognised signs. The story is loosely based on true events from the 1990s.
(Unavailable on Deaffest Online Cinema)
8:30pm / 10:00pm: Green Grass | Dir. Aram Atkinson, UK, 2025 (Dur. 17min)
Declan, a disengaged university coaster, must confront his long-hidden identity when forced to work with the fiercely independent new Deaf student, Claire. Opposite in so many ways, it is only a matter of time before their differences bubble to the surface, but so will their similarities that make them question everything they knew to be true in this coming-of-age drama.
Content warning: This programme contains swearing
(Unavailable on Deaffest Online Cinema)
With two months to go until you can #SigninStyleatDeaffest 2026, we’re announcing two UK premieres at the festival launch on the evening of Friday 8 May!
🎬 ‘The Eye’ – directed by Deanne Bray (USA)
A pressure cooker of a casting director’s room, the film turns a steady gaze on power, access, and who gets to decide what “fits.”
(Content warning: This programme contains language and behaviour that may be triggering for members of the signing community. Some signs used in the film may be inaccurate or differ from internationally recognised signs. The story is loosely based on true events from the 1990s)
🎬 ‘Green Grass’ – directed by Aram Atkinson (UK)
Declan, a disengaged university coaster, must confront his long-hidden identity when forced to work with the fiercely independent new Deaf student, Claire. Opposite in so many ways, it is only a matter of time before their differences bubble to the surface, but so will their similarities that make them question everything they knew to be true in this coming-of-age drama.
(Content warning: This programme contains swearing)
Two UK premieres. One opening night.
Have you got your Friday ticket yet? Get yours here – Deaffest 2026 launch night tickets are limited, so book early to avoid missing out!
Experience music visually with Jayden Reid’s electrifying sign song performances at the Film & TV Awards Gala on Saturday 9 May 2026!
Fusing body beats, street dance, and raw acting, Jayden transforms lyrics into a powerful physical narrative. This isn’t just translation – it’s a high-energy, immersive storytelling experience where hands sing and rhythm speaks louder than words.
Jayden Reid is a Deaf actor and dancer who blends street flow with sign song. Known for ‘High Times’, ‘Dirty Monsters’ and ‘Grantchester’, he layers body beats with expressive character work to bring music to life through movement. From Disney campaigns to the stage, Jayden’s kinetic performances transform lyrics into a dynamic visual story, inspiring a new generation of Deaf talent.
Join us for the Gala and experience Jayden Reid live – tickets available here!
Deaffest 