Celebrating deaf culture
Wellington is famous for always having a film festival on but one coming up this weekend is more than just noise.
The Deaf Short Film Festival is held every second year, and has two main parts – the short film competition, and the film festival itself, which is a showcase of the competition entries and a selection of short films made both in New Zealand and overseas.
Festival organiser Jenny Boyd said the competition aspect of the festival attracted seven entries from deaf and hard of hearing filmmakers this year.
The entries closed last weekend, the main criteria being that they were ‘‘made by New Zealanders, either addressing something to do with deaf culture, featuring deaf performers, or made by deaf film-makers’’, Boyd said.
‘‘The film festival is celebrating deaf talent.’’
This year entrants have the opportunity to win a 3D printed trophy made by deaf artist Abbie Twiss, in the shape of the New Zealand sign language sign for ‘‘perfect’’.
Boyd said one of the highlights of the festival was short film Tama, a Wellington film that won several awards at the Wairoa Film Festival and was featured in the New Zealand International Film Festival last month.
Tama is a collaboration between deaf film-maker Jared Flitcroft and hearing film-maker Jack O’Donnell.
‘‘Many films have been collaborations between deaf and hearing film-makers, and the festi- about val gives both deaf and hearing audiences the opportunity to really experience the incredible deaf talent and deaf culture we have in New Zealand.’’
Another highlight is American deaf hip hop musician Sean Forbes, who will perform for the first time in New Zealand at the festival’s awards ceremony.
Boyd said it was important to have events like this to bring deaf and hearing people together.
* The Deaf Short Film Festival will be held at Victoria University, September 8-10.
Visit nzdsff.co.nz for more information.