Four short films created by Deaf filmmakers are paving the way for disabled creatives in Toronto
By Atiya Malik
The Unify Deaf Film Festival, presented by TIFF Bell Lightbox and Undivided Productions, has carved a remarkable path for Deaf filmmakers and Deaf stories to be embraced and celebrated. This event is the first of its kind in Toronto and marks a significant step forward in recognizing talent and creativity within the d/Deaf community.
On Oct. 13, the Unify Deaf Film Festival public screening presented four impeccable short films all created by Deaf filmmakers. The event was followed by two days of workshops and panels.
The festival was not only about showcasing Deaf talent but also fostering meaningful dialogue and creating a bridge between the deaf and hearing worlds. Panel discussions and a Q&A session with the filmmakers allowed for open conversation about Deaf culture, the language and the challenges of being a Deaf creative in a predominantly hearing world.
The Power of Visual Storytelling: The Black Deaf Experience
His Hand, His Art, directed by Ebony R. Gooden, is a documentary on Ralph “Ralf” Newberry, a Black Deaf artist, and his compelling journey. This film depicts his sickening experiences with racism, ableism and how they have and continue to affect his life. His story engulfs viewers in feelings of confusion, pain and anger due to the lack of resources until he discovers the art of healing and forgiveness.
“Creating this film was very personal for me, my goodness, it was extremely personal to me. Ralph was someone I wanted to see when I was growing up. To know that I wasn’t the only one and to know that our history existed,” said Gooden during the Q&A session.
Gooden emphasized how being able to tell Ralph’s story in her documentary is a form of representation that is desperately needed in the film industry. She said the power of film goes beyond just the people who view it in the cinema when it’s released. You don’t know who you’re going to impact in future generations with these films.
The Multi, directed by Storm Smith and Natasha Ofili, shared a different perspective from the Black deaf community. This film tells the story of an isolated Black Deaf woman who has constructed a world to keep a childhood trauma buried deep in her consciousness. This is until an unexpected series of events forces her to confront the demons from her past who threaten to destroy everything she has built.
According to a Forbes interview, Ofili says, “I remember feeling worthless, I remember feeling that I did not want to be here anymore, I was done, I felt done. In 2009, I had announced that I needed help, I started going to therapy, all of that did help me, it was a two-year journey, and I am now able to talk about it.”
Ofili draws attention to the fact that not a lot of people speak about their mental health, especially not in the Black Deaf community.
“There is a lack of conversation about our trauma, and I decided to include that in the script. We do not have enough of that on the screen. The Multi is inspired by my mental health,” said Ofili in the Forbes interview.
Both The Multi and His Hand, His Art give voices to a marginalized community. They shed light upon varying perspectives and experiences.
“There’s no one way to be Black, there’s no one way to be d/Deaf, you can’t paint everyone with the same brush.”
— Gooden during the Q&A session
(L-R) Jenelle Rouse, James ‘Joey’ Caverly, Fatima T. Nafisa, Alexandra Hickox, Ebony R. Gooden during the Q&A session on Oct. 13, 2023 (Atiya Malik/CanCulture)
Unify Deaf Film Festival photo wall on Oct. 13, 2023 (Atiya Malik/CanCulture)
Deaf Perspective on Sound
The film titled The 5%, directed by Alexandra Hickox and co-directed with Nathan Hughes-Berry, is a film that retells the true stories of Deaf individuals. It displays the intersection of three deaf people who have lived through shared experiences but are still living through different moments in their lives.
During the Q&A session, Hickox says she wanted to show how there isn’t just one universal d/Deaf experience in the world, a common stereotype about the community.
“It’s a struggle to have representation within the film industry. Where is the Deaf community? There are not a lot of opportunities available,” said Hickox in a Zoom interview through a sign language interpreter.
In her film, Hickox strategically used the element of sound. When a deaf individual appeared on the screen, there was little to no sound and the film would often display the character’s inner monologue through text. Whereas, when a supporting hearing character appeared on screen, there would be a variety of relevant audio.
“I played a lot with sound. We [deaf individuals] can’t hear anything but the other person can hear all these scenarios. I wanted to show the audience how it sounds different,” said Hickox.
However, as a Deaf person, it was difficult to explain the sound she wanted. “How do you explain a d/Deaf perspective on sound? How do you convey that through film? It was a challenge,” she said.
Hickox emphasized that her team, composed of both hearing and deaf folks, was exceptional during this learning journey.
“I wanted to create a space for deaf folks and hearing folks to be able to work together. This is what being ‘Undivided’ is. Breaking that barrier.”
Hickox in an interview in sign language through an interpreter
Hickox is the founder of Undivided Productions, a Deaf-led initiative that showcases the richness of Deaf culture and Deaf talent through film production, art, poetry, theatre, comedy and more.
Fatima T. Nafisa, an actor in Fable Deaf, explains how both cultures can thrive in unison. Fable Deaf is a film based on the magical story about an elderly Deaf archivist stubbornly rooted in history and tradition, whose rigid world is threatened by the arrival of a young traveller with an ancient map.
During the Q&A session, Nafisa said there are various ways a production team can work together. For example, her own team elicited support to cue each other. Instead of saying “action” to cue the beginning of a new scene, a team member would tap the actor’s leg or use more visual forms of communication. She said there’s beauty and appreciation about adapting to the diverse backgrounds around you.
The Future for Deaf Creatives
The Unify Deaf Film Festival displayed four powerful and moving short films. His Hand, His Art, The 5%, The Multi and Fable Deaf are films whose messages will remain for generations to come.
“We needed a starting place. ‘Oh, you can work with Deaf people?’ Of course you can! We hope to make creatives aware that this is a possibility. That’s what I want for Undivided Productions and for the Unify Deaf Film Festival. For us to have more collaborations between hearing and deaf,” said Hickox.
The Unify Deaf Film Festival and Undivided Productions are breaking barriers. To current and up-and-coming Deaf filmmakers and creatives, this is just the beginning.
