WORLDEAF CINEMA FESTIVAL

The Gallaudet University WORLDEAF Cinema Festival will showcase competitive short films, feature films, videos and vlogs created by deaf and hard of hearing filmmakers. The festival will take place November 4-7, 2009 at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.. Academy Award-winning actress, Marlee Matlin, is the festival’s honorary chair. The festival seeks to increase awareness of deaf cinema within the greater film and media industry, and provide international deaf filmmakers with unique professional networking opportunities. Hearing filmmakers are also invited to submit their visual media products that include the deaf experience. For additional information, view the website at http://wdcf.gallaudet.edu.

Dates: November 4 – 7, 2009

Welcome from
Honorary Chair
Marlee Matlin

Welcome to the Gallaudet WORLDEAF Cinema Festival website! This international festival will take place November 4-7, 2009 in Washington, D.C., and I hope to see you there.

Pioneer Deaf filmmaker George W. Veditz said “As long as we have our films, we can preserve signs in their old purity.” That means Deaf Cinema is indeed here to stay! I invite you to join us as we celebrate the work of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing filmmakers of the past, the present, and the future. The WORLDEAF Cinema Festival offers unique opportunities to network with motion picture industry leaders, and you’ll also have opportunities to participate in discussion forums on production, marketing,and distribution issues. Daily screenings of films and videos will showcase new and classic works. Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing filmmakers who produce films with or about deaf or hard-of-hearing people are invited to submit works to the competition.

This will be a truly significant milestone in the history of deaf filmmaking so be sure to mark your calendar to attend this exciting event. I’m looking forward to seeing you there.


Marlee Matlin