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!
Deaffest is excited to collaborate with Garrison Gou and Alice Hu this summer to present a specially curated programme of Deaf-related film screenings in Shanghai, accompanied by a thought-provoking seminar discussion.
Supported by the British Council’s ‘Connections Through Culture Grant’ under the diversity and inclusion initiative, this collaboration fosters cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exchange between the UK and China. The event, titled ‘Echoes of Deaf History’, will explore Deaf narratives and representation, aiming to deepen public understanding and appreciation of Deaf experiences through cinema and conversation.
Deaffest’s Media Project Management Officer, Jack Smallwood, will present a selection of shorts including Ben Steiner Bursary’s ‘The Quiet Ones’, ‘Do You Understand?’, and highlights from previous Deaffest festivals. Jack will also lead the seminar, offering his perspective and engaging audiences in meaningful discussion.
Stay tuned for more details!
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