Deaf British girl of 6 who won hearts of Hollywood
A LITTLE British star made a big impression on the red carpet – as her film won an Oscar.
Maisie Sly played the lead role in The Silent Child, which won best short film. The six-year-old from Swindon had not acted before she was chosen to play a deaf girl whose life is transformed when she learns sign language.
Maisie won the part ahead of 100 other children after her father saw an advert for the audition on Facebook. She, her parents, brother and sister are all deaf – although in the film, her character Libby is from a hearing family.
Maisie accompanied the film’s makers Rachel Shenton and Chris Overton on the red carpet. And when former Hollyoaks star Miss Shenton collected the Oscar, she ensured her acceptance speech was memorable by giving it in sign language in honour of Maisie, who was in the audience with her mother and an interpreter.
‘I made a promise to our six-year-old lead actress that I’d sign this speech,’ she said. ‘My hands are shaking so I apologise. Our movie is … not exaggerated. This is happening, millions of children all over the world live in silence and face communication barriers and particularly access to education.’
Miss Shenton, 30, wrote and acted in the film, which was directed by Overton, her fiance and former Hollyoaks co-star. She learned sign language after her father become profoundly deaf during cancer treatment and was the first person to sign an acceptance speech since Marlee Matlin won best actress for her performance in the 1986 film Children Of A Lesser God.
Miss Matlin, 52, who is deaf, tweeted: ‘YAYAYAYAY!! “The Silent Child” produced by @RachelShenton just won an Oscar. Sign Language at the #Oscars once again!!!!! SO PROUD of you Rachel!!!!!!!!!’