Redefining Silent Film: Seattle Deaf Film Festival Trail Blazes City’s Deaf Cinema

Posted by: Staff Writer on March 1, 2012

Tearjerker drama? Comedy? Suspense? Or Animation?  This month, you don't have to decide which film to watch – you can watch them ALL at the first annual, Seattle Deaf Film Festival (SDFF), hosted by Deaf Spotlight. 

This is a wonderful time to be a deaf film buff. Not only can you watch teen vampires or wizards through a plethora of assistive technology options, you can now indulge in film that is by, for and about the Deaf Community. While a few Hollywood films have prominently featured a deaf star or two, you can get your virtual Deaf fix in a whirlwind three days:SDFF will run from March 30 to April 1 at University of Washington Kane Hall Room #120.Tickets are available on their website.

“We need an ongoing arts organization”, said Deaf Spotlight chair Rob Roth at a recent tea party fundraiser hosted by former Abused Deaf Women Advocacy Services executive director, Marilyn Smith. Describing ASL film productions of the 70s and 80s (Pure As the Driven Snow, Language of One) he added: "These were great productions, all emphasizing Deaf culture, history and language. What do they have in common? They were one-time events." 

As your go-to web site for deaf-friendly businesses, deafREVIEW can confirm: SDFF will be both deaf-friendly and hearing-friendly. All films will have subtitles, and that includes subtitled translations when the actors sign rather than speak. Unlike movie theatres, you don’t need to twist your schedule around limited captioning times. Just follow this simple schedule and show up to whatever film strikes your fancy!

"We need your body, brain, heart and hands to come," said actor Howie Seago, who is well-known for both television (Star Trek) and film (Beyond Silence) and now, the stage (Henry V). Wallets are good too, Seago hinted by waving a check book and dollar bills to show what Deaf Spotlight needs in order to continue running its monthly events.

Deaf Spotlight aims to bring more stick-to-it-iveness to the Pacific Northwest’s promotion of Deaf culture, visual arts, performing arts and cinema. In February, Deaf Spotlight accomplished its critical goal of attaining 501(c)(3) non-profit status. It is currently being maintained through the generosity of the community - such as volunteers, and sponsorships from both individuals and organizations.

As the grandson of a film projectionist, Roth notes that today's entries will look different from those of the 70s and early 80s. For one, software (Macs, anyone?) make it much easier to edit film. For another, Roth says it is “the beauty of the Web" which has resulted in more than 45 entries coming from places like Thailand, the Philippines, France, England and Korea. 

Some films are independent, whereas others have already been released to different audiences. One example is director-screenwriter Hwang Dong-hyuk's controversial Korean film "Silenced." The film depicts child abuse in a small Korean deaf school. "It was just two white guys (me and Howie Seago), and everyone else was Korean," he described the Federal Way showing. 

The University of Washington Linguistics Department is providing SDFF's spacious venue: Kane Hall, which has 400 seats. "Our goal is to have 400 people attend, filling every one of those seats," said Roth. "With more money, we can encourage more arts, film and drama in the future." 

With film being such a vital part of how we can educate the general public about the Deaf Community and its issues, conflicts and blessings, deafREVIEW is extremely excited to see what is in store. You can bet we (and our friends) will be staking out our spot in a few of these 400 seats!