Deaffest, the UK’s only Deaf-led Film and Television Festival which celebrates the talents of Deaf filmmakers and media artists, returns on Friday 27 - Sunday 29 November 2009 at Light House Media Centre. The festival celebrates the talents of Deaf
filmmakers of all ages and is currently on the look out for young Deaf filmmakers, either individually or within school and community groups, to submit films for the Young Deaffest part of the festival, which this year will include an awards ceremony. Films can be submitted within 2 age groups: 8-11 year olds and 12-16 year olds, and must be submitted by Tuesday 1 September 2009. More information on how to apply can be found at www.deaffest.co.uk
Festival Coordinator Marcella Stratton said, “We are really excited to open the call for film submissions for young Deaf filmmakers for this year’s festival. Any category of film is accepted from drama to animation, to experimental film. It must just fit into one of the 2 age group categories, 8-11 or 12-16 year olds and there should also be a significant Deaf involvement in the film. We are also pleased to be rewarding our young Deaf filmmakers this year at an awards ceremony on the Saturday of the festival.” Submitted films must be sent to the following address: Zebra Uno Ltd, Creative Industries Centre, Wolverhampton Science Park, Glaisher Drive, Wolverhampton, WV10 9TG, along with information about the filmmaker’s profile(s) and the synopsis of the film.
This year Deaffest will take place from Fri 27 Nov - Sun 29 Nov include screenings of films produced by UK and International Deaf filmmakers, Young Deaffest which showcases work produced by young Deaf filmmakers, a Gala Awards ceremony featuring the winners of the general film competition, and plenty of panel discussions, networking opportunities and social events. Deaffest 2009 will be the eleventh festival to be held in Wolverhampton since 1998. Deaffest aims to nurture new talent in the Deaf community and showcase the work of Deaf filmmakers and producers to a wider audience.
Deaffest is supported through Screen WM’s Investment Fund with funds from The National Lottery through the UK Film Council, and through the UK Film Council Festival Fund. It is supported by Light House, Wolverhampton City Council, Zebra Uno and University of Wolverhampton. For more information about the programme as the festival takes shape or for more info on how to submit your film to the festival visit www.deaffest.co.uk or email: info@deaffest.co.uk