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Proud to be one of the Supporting Partners for Deaffest 2024

• May 2024
• News

ZEBRA UNO IS PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE SUPPORTING PARTNERS FOR DEAFFEST’S 15TH EDITION!

WOLVERHAMPTON DEAF CHARITY CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL DURING DEAF AWARENESS WEEK

Deaffest, hosted by award-winning Deaf-led Wolverhampton charity Zebra Access CIO, returns to Wolverhampton from 10th – 12th May 2024 and this year it celebrates its 15th anniversary which this year falls during Deaf Awareness Week.

The 15th anniversary milestone event will be marked this year with a music theme and is called “Tune into Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary”. Music is shared universally through many different pathways and is a way of communicating and evoking emotions. Music isn’t restricted to just listening to sounds and at the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to widen their horizons and experience music through di%erent forms such as films, music videos, sign songs, visual vernacular, hand tutting, vibrations, dance movements and more!

Deaffest supports and develops the talents of emerging and established Deaf filmmakers and artists from both the UK and from around the world. It provides a platform for creatives and promotes the importance of inclusion and diversity on stage, screen, and behind the camera. Since its conception, Dea%est has enabled creatives to gain experience, hone their artistic craft, and collaborate with other creatives. This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better with a line-up of subtitled films which will be showcased at the festival and further films will also be shown via its brand new online cinema which is coming soon. All this and more, with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.

Research from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People has estimated that around 12 million adults in the UK have hearing loss severe enough that they would not be able to hear most conversational speech. And according to figures from The National Deaf Children’s society there are more than 50,000 D/deaf children in the UK. It is important for those with hearing loss to feel included in events like this and audiences rarely have the opportunity to attend an event where they are totally immersed in the rich culture surrounding D/deaf people’s lives.

Deaffest removes communication barriers that have traditionally prevented Deaf people from engaging in film, media, and the arts. Crucially, the young Deaf generation are inspired by role models that are relevant to their own lives and experiences.

Nikki Stratton, Deaffest Co-founder & Director

“Deaffest has and continues to preserve the importance of Deaf culture and heritage. We believe that the festival really contributes towards building a bridge of inclusion between Deaf and hearing media and arts professionals and industries. We do this by breaking down communication barriers. The film and media-related opportunities the festival offers also contributes to the self-confidence and empowerment of Deaf individuals of all ages, and works towards expanding their potential to achieve. We are very proud to be supported by the BFI, and the National Lottery. We hope people from all backgrounds from across Wolverhampton and beyond with join us in Tuning in to Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary!”

FURTHER INFORMATION

The internationally recognised Deaffest festival will take place 10TH – 12TH May at the University of Wolverhampton, Arena Theatre and The Halls Wolverhampton. The event this year falls during Deaf Awareness Week which makes it even more special. Accessible events at the festival will include panel discussions, an art exhibition, workshops, a stalls fair, and performances, plus the widely anticipated 9th Film and TV Awards Gala and Late-Night Party.

Deaffest 2024 welcomes all Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing audiences of all ages –embracing a multitude of cultures and languages.

You can see more about Deaffest at our website www.deaffest.co.uk

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