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Deaf Way Film Festival
College Hall 208
(202) 250-2837
(202) 651-5005
Email Us
Gallaudet University proudly presents the Deaf Way Film Festival, a four-day celebration spotlighting the creativity, power, and stories of deaf* filmmakers and professionals in the film industry.
October 16 – 19, 2025 — Mark your calendars for film screenings, engaging panels, art exhibitions, and networking events that center Deaf stories. The festival will be open to the public, including those who do not know about deaf culture or use American Sign Language.
*The deaf community is defined as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and hard of hearing.
Join us for an exciting and inspiring weekend celebrating Deaf culture, film, and community. Below is a summary of our planned events. Please note that the schedule is subject to change, and full details will be confirmed after film selections are finalized.
All screenings and panels will take place at Elstad Auditorium. Pre-event and networking gatherings will be hosted at venues to be announced soon.
Kick off the festival with a pre-event panel featuring the founders of Deaf Culture Festival, followed by food trucks and social time. The evening continues with a special feature film screening, and concludes with a lively networking event for industry pass holders.
98 Minutes Marlee Matlin was thrust into the spotlight at age 21 as the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award® for her work in Children of a Lesser God. As a trailblazer in the Deaf community, Matlin soon found herself in the spotlight as the most influential Deaf actor of her generation, and with that came the weight of responsibility and expectations that she had to navigate without precedent. In this powerful documentary from filmmaker, actress and writer Shoshannah Stern (making her directing debut), Matlin reflects on her extraordinary life, its triumphs and sorrows, and the nature and meaning of the legacy she has created.
This full festival day features multiple film screenings, panels, and opportunities to explore the festival’s immersive experiences. The evening wraps up with social time on your own.
9 Minutes In this funny short narrative set in Canada, a quirky new hearing employee joins a Deaf-owned business and quickly begins to drive her boss crazy.
12 Minutes
A lonely Deaf boy has cochlear implants, but that doesn’t fix the barriers he must navigate at Thanksgiving dinner with a family that may as well be strangers to him.
23 Minutes
Margot is a woman whose health is slowly degenerating from ALS. When she asks her mother Christiane to help her end her life on her own terms with dignity, Christiane is forced to confront a profound challenge to her maternal love.
9 Minutes
Meet Rudolfs, one of the top Deaf competitive swimmers in the world. This exhilarating short documentary follows Rudolfs as he gives us a glimpse of his training routine and what drives him to push forward to the top of his game.
2 Minutes
When a Deaf man needs his air conditioning fixed, his CODA daughter plays referee when a repairman comes to the house to offer an estimate.
19 Minutes
In this sophisticated action comedy told in sign language, a woman police officer interrogates a drug trafficker about a missing box linked to a mafia network throughout Spain and Chile. What is going on with the rubber ducks, and are things really what they seem?
20 Minutes
Wyatt is a Deaf man who works hard and enjoys a close relationship with his hearing daughter, Allison. However, when Allison starts posting popular YouTube videos teaching sign language, it sparks an unexpected family storm.
8 Minutes
A filmmaker redefines the essence of cinema by questioning the role of sound, inviting audiences to rediscover the power of imagery and light in storytelling.
97 Minutes
Loud Love follows Alan and Brian, a Deaf gay couple in New York, as they raise their spirited hearing twins after a seven-year surrogacy journey. Blending cinema verité with intimate interviews, the film captures a decade of parenting across cultures, languages, and expectations — exploring Deaf identity, family dynamics, and what it truly means to be heard. As love gets louder, so do the challenges.
103 Minutes
Shelley Beattie, a Deaf woman and champion bodybuilder, found fame in the 1990s on the hit TV show American Gladiators, where she competed under the name “Siren” before her untimely death in 2008. While charismatic, gorgeous and a fierce competitor, Beattie also battled personal demons, struggling with mental illness, addiction and questions of her own identity. Framed by the insight of another Deaf woman in Hollywood who found herself in the spotlight at the same time, Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin, this riveting documentary unpacks the fascinating story of Shelley “Siren” Beattie and her complex legacy entwined with beauty, mental illness and love.
Start the day with a thought-provoking panel discussion, followed by screenings and opportunities to engage with immersive experiences during breaks. In the evening, gather for the highly anticipated Awards Ceremony, followed by social time on your own to celebrate the weekend’s highlights.
In this playful short narrative, Sofia is a woman who uses her vivid imagination to consider different approaches to win over another woman she has developed a romantic interest in.
A modern art museum provides the setting for a Deaf couple (played by Lauren Ridloff and John Autry II) who are desperate to rekindle their spark.
13 Minutes
A Deaf maximum-security prisoner undergoes an experimental medical procedure to acquire early release and be reunited with his daughter. However, the procedure results in unexpected consequences.
A Deaf woman battles an internal force gnawing at her will to live, in a haunting cinematic mood piece that explores isolation and resilience.
18 Minutes
Joseph is an isolated elderly Deaf man who lives alone and likes it that way. When his nephew gifts him a computer, he reluctantly learns to use the internet, which opens an unexpected door into his past.
3 Minutes
In this charming animated short, a Deaf entity tries to order a sandwich in a hearing restaurant, with humorous results.
22 Minutes
During a reluctant visit to his mother’s house with his son, a Deaf father (played by James Caverly) must confront a toxic family dynamic and find a better way forward for the future.
130 Minutes
In this absorbing coming-of-age drama, Sophie, Wolf and Alan are young people in Hong Kong who are all Deaf, but with very different experiences, upbringings and philosophies surrounding their deafness. As they form a bond of friendship and navigate life together, the trio reflects deeply on issues surrounding identity, language and acceptance.
Enjoy a free screening of pocket documentaries, open to all attendees. For filmmakers and industry professionals, the festival concludes with a networking brunch—an ideal opportunity to reflect, reconnect, and wrap up the weekend.
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Deaf culture, storytelling, and community. The Deaf Way Film Festival offers more than just films—it’s a vibrant celebration of Deaf culture and history woven throughout the Gallaudet University campus. With your pass, you’ll gain access to film screenings and a powerful lineup of experiences.
No Refunds – All Sales Final
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. This policy applies in all cases, including if you are unable to attend, adverse or inclement weather, lineup, schedule, or program change, and/or personal or travel-related issues.
We understand that plans change — we allow ticket transfers to another person. A $10 name change fee applies to each transfer request.
If you have any issues purchasing your pass, please contact us. We are here to help! You will be able to request accommodations when you buy your pass.
Discover, Create, Belong
$250 Regular Price
Your Industry Pass grants you full access to festival screenings, engaging panels, exclusive networking events with fellow industry professionals, and a seat at the prestigious awards ceremony.
$200 Regular Price
Your All-Access Pass grants you full access to festival screenings, engaging panels, and a seat at the prestigious awards ceremony. Please note: this pass does not include access to exclusive networking events reserved for industry professionals.
Regular Price: $65
Enjoy a feature screening at the Deaf Way Film Festival on Thursday evening with this pass. Please note: the Thursday Evening Pass does not include access to networking events.
$90 Regular Price
Enjoy a full day of Deaf Way Film Festival screenings and engaging panels on Friday with this pass.
$115 Regular Price
Enjoy a full day of Deaf Way Film Festival screenings, engaging panels, and a seat at the prestigious awards ceremony on Saturday with this pass.
Free
Enjoy complimentary access to Gallaudet stories, featuring the Bison Camp Film Winners, The Path We Paved for You, and Silent Rhythm. This special screening offers a unique opportunity to experience the creativity, community, and perspectives that make Gallaudet stories truly unforgettable.
The submission portal for films is now closed.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?
Are you interested in supporting the Deaf Way Film Festival?
Gallaudet University is located in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, D.C., adjacent to the vibrant neighborhoods of NoMa and the Union Market District. The Union Market District serves as a culinary and cultural epicenter, offering a diverse array of artisanal foods, beverages, and unique shopping experiences.
There are three major airports in the Washington, D.C. region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), located just 15 minutes from downtown DC; Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD); and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Traveling by train or bus to and from DC is easy and often affordable.
For trains, Amtrak has frequent daily departures from major cities throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and even Chicago.
For buses, choose between Greyhound and Megabus and get off at Union Station.
From Union Station, you can easily reach Gallaudet University via Metro or a short taxi/rideshare.
If you choose to drive, Gallaudet University offers limited parking options on campus.
Washington, D.C. offers a wide range of lodging options, but if you’re looking to stay just steps from Gallaudet University, here are some top hotel picks that combine comfort, convenience, and easy access to the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.
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Placemaking Director
Director of Programming
Director of Events
Welcome Center Manager
Executive Director, Campus Services
Admissions Program Manager
Administrative Assistant
Human Resources Operations Analyst
Presidential Events Specialist
Campus Accessibility Manager
Manager, Operations
Digital Communications Intern
Brand and Graphic Designer
Artist
Screening Committee Member
Deaf Way Film Festival is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all attendees. To ensure full access and comfort, we are proud to offer the following accommodations, with American Sign Language (ASL) as the primary mode of communication throughout the festival:
If you have additional access needs, please reach out in advance so we can support your experience at the festival.