Seattle Deaf Film Festival 2024 [Hybrid]
Virtual: April 8–22
Welcome to Seattle Deaf Film Festival!
SDFF showcases the best Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing filmmaking in the world. We believe in cultivating a vibrant community of emerging and experienced Deaf filmmakers, actors, and producers.
Visit SDFF’s homepage for the full schedule, film info, ticket and pass sales, and more!
Image description for header (on desktop): A pink banner splat on a red patterned background, with text inside the splat: “April 2024”. On the right side is a black silhouette of a rabbit wearing a yellow beanie blowing a teal bubble gum with black text: “Seattle Deaf Film Festival”.
Back for their 7th edition in 2024, Seattle Deaf Film Festival will be at Northwest Film Forum in person from April 5–7, and will stream amazing films online on Eventive from April 8–22. The festival will spotlight 44 amazing films from 11 countries, in sign language with English subtitles!
The festival will be presented in three ways: in-person, virtual, and hybrid. There are nine programs, each roughly 90 minutes long. We can’t wait to welcome you to the 7th Seattle Deaf Film Fest!
NAVIGATE
Tickets and passes are on sale now!
Diving into a hybrid experience this year, we’re able to provide a diverse range of ticket options. Choose the experience that suits you best: In-Person, Hybrid, or Virtual!
In-Person: You can pick and choose, purchasing Individual Program Tickets for each in-person show that interests you, or simplify your moviegoing with a Day or Weekend Pass. The Weekend Pass gives you access to the entire weekend, Friday to Sunday, April 5–7. Day Passes grant access to your choice of Saturday or Sunday (April 6 or 7).
Hybrid: If you want the flexibility to attend either in person or online, given your health, you can purchase a Hybrid Pass via NWFF’s Eventive!
Virtual: If you’re unable to attend in-person and want to participate virtually, you can either purchase Individual Program Tickets or a Virtual Festival Pass to stream the films on SDFF 2024’s Eventive page. Films will be available to begin watching from April 8–22.
IN-PERSON SCHEDULE:
Click each showtime/title below for tickets + info
USA, 2023, 91 minutes
Alison O’Daniel, the director, will participate in a Fireside Chat with Patty Liang, the SDFF Director.
Opening night reception to follow.
Between 2011 and 2013, a series of unusual thefts occurred targeting twelve Southern California high school band rooms with thieves absconding with more than twenty tubas. Using this quirky series of unsolved crimes as a source of inspiration, director and visual artist Alison O’Daniel blends elements of documentary and fiction to create a unique sensory experience that defies categorization. What happens when sound is no longer present? What shifts in the senses when a marching band loses its booming tonal anchor? This is not a literal story about tubas and thieves, but rather about sound and its absence. Featuring a cast of mostly Deaf actors and told through a Deaf and Hard of Hearing lens, The Tuba Thieves asks its audience to become active participants in this cinematic experience and offers the challenge to engage – and perhaps think – differently.
In ASL (American Sign Language) and English with Open Captions.
Content warnings: Adult, Theft
Runtime: 71 minutes
This collection of four films is a mixture of documentary, narrative and experimental storytelling that explores themes of Deaf identity with vision, clarity and creativity.
The Future of Deaf Filmmaking Panel: Charlie Ainsworth of Deaf Angry People Productions & MJ Kiego of the Zankza Project
Moderator: Melissa Yingst of VSYN+
- LOOK AT ME
- DEAF IDENTITY
- THE DEVICE THAT TURNED ME INTO A CYBORG…
- THE BLOOMING
Content warning(s): Identity, Incarceration, Adult, Nudity, Medical Surgery, Sexual Activity
Runtime: 93 minutes
These five films highlight stories of Deaf people from all over the world whose advocacy work on behalf of the Deaf community has helped push back against oppression and create positive change for the future.
- VOICES IN THE SILENCE
- DIAGNONSENSE
- THE 5 PERCENT
- MY GLOW
- THE SILENT WORLD OF BARRY PRIORI
Content warning(s): Hate Speech, Mental Illness, Profanity, Nudity, Birth Trauma
Runtime: 86 minutes
Comic relief is just the remedy with this wide variety of stories designed to tickle your funny bone.
Q&A with Charlie Ainsworth of Deaf Angry People Productions to follow.
- INTERPRETATION
- THE LAST WORDS
- BIRMINGHAM MADE ME
- ONE LAST TIME
- 4 DEAF YORKSHIREMEN AND A WEDDING
Content warning(s): Adult, Gun, Murder, Hate Speech, Racism, Violence
Runtime: 85 minutes
These six films explore the ups and downs of romantic relationships and the wide range of experiences and emotions that come with putting yourself out there.
Open discussion with Phelan Conheady, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator of ADWAS.
- LADYLIKE
- FLIRTING (WITH POSSIBILITIES)
- INSPIRED
- REVERIE
- SUNSCREEN
- 19:24
Content warning(s): Adult, Homophobia, Profanity, Suicide, Mental Illness
Runtime: 88 minutes
Things are not always what they seem in this imaginative collection of six distinctive thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Saturday Night Out with SDFF at Stoup Brewing to follow.
- SENSES
- MONEY & DUCKS
- MILLSTONE
- TARNEIT
- THE PARTICIPANT
- DR. VOXOFF’S SIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOL…
Content warning(s): Adult, Racism, Violence, Drug, Blood, Death, Substance Abuse, Discussion of Medical Procedure, Discussion of Abuse
Runtime: 72 minutes
Panel: Yiru Chen of Handscape, Chantay Taylor and Jessica Calvin of Say Nothin’ But A Word.
Moderator: Andrea Passafiume
From dancing and drawing to animation and poetry, creativity comes in many different forms. These six stories from around the world feature Deaf artists who use their talents to make a meaningful impact.
- IMAGININGS
- RITE OF IDENTITY
- SAY NOTHIN’ BUT A WORD
- RUARIDH
- HANDSCAPE
- LIBERTY
Content warning(s): Identity, Adult, Profanity, Racism, Violence
Runtime: 69 minutes
Multi-talented trailblazing Deaf and Deafblind women are front and center in these six stories that celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments.
Q & A with Elsa Sjunneson
- RENEGADES: KITTY O’NEIL
- THE RAD SCIENTIST
- ELSA
- BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER
- GETTING PERSONAL w/ LUCINDA LAWSON
- ART 21: CHRISTINE SUN KIM
Content warning(s): Discussion of suicide
Runtime: 89 minutes
Fireside Chat with MJ Kiego (Interpretation and Raising CODAs)
Closing night reception to follow
These five unique stories all examine the profound and sometimes complicated dynamics between parents and children that have the added challenge of having to shift between the Deaf and hearing worlds.
- RAISING CODAS
- MY FATHER, A MAN OF ENGAGEMENT
- I AM CODA
- SHHH!
- TO MY FATHER