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On April 11, the Gallaudet community packed Elstad Auditorium for a special screening of Deaf President Now!, in partnership with AppleTV+. The groundbreaking documentary is co-directed by Gallaudet alum Nyle DiMarco, ’13, who teamed with celebrated documentarian Davis Guggenheim of Concordia Studios.

Deaf President Now! premieres on AppleTV+ on May 16. The world premiere took place at Sundance Film Festival in January, where it was a runner-up for the Festival Favorite Award. The Gallaudet Archives partnered with Concordia Studios on the project, sending archival materials and equipment. 

During the screening, the audience laughed, gasped, and cheered as they experienced the ups and downs of the Gallaudet movement that changed the world. In 1988, university students protested for one week to demand that Gallaudet hire its first Deaf president ever. The outcome of the protests traveled far beyond the campus, influencing the eventual passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Afterwards, the air resonated with feelings of inspiration and excitement. DiMarco and Guggenheim were on hand for a Q&A moderated by Trent Mora, President of Gallaudet’s Student Body Government. They were joined by two of the DPN4, Jerry Covell, ’89, and Tim Rarus, ’88. Rounding out the panel were I. King Jordan, ’70, the first Deaf Gallaudet President, as well as Producers Jonathan King and Amanda Rohlke.

Scroll down to see more pictures from the screening!

A photo of the crowd at the Deaf President Now screening in Elstad Auditorium at Gallaudet University.
The audience at Elstad Auditorium on the Gallaudet campus.
A photo of ten people standing and smiling for the camera. From left to right: Jonathan King, Amanda Rohlke, Tim Rarus, Roberta Cordano, Nyle DiMarco, I. King Jordan, Greg Hlibok, Brigetta Bourne-Firl, Jerry Covell, and Davis Guggenheim. They are standing in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
From left to right: Producer Jonathan King; Producer Amanda Rohlke; Tim Rarus, ’88; Gallaudet President Roberta Cordano; Nyle DiMarco, ’13; I. King Jordan, ’70; Greg Hlibok, ’89; Brigetta Bourne-Firl, ’89; Jerry Covell, ’89; and Davis Guggenheim.
Tim Rarus makes the “Deaf Power” gesture at the Deaf President Now! screening event. He is standing in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
Tim Rarus makes the “Deaf Power” gesture at the Deaf President Now! screening event.
A camera in the left foreground films Tim Rarus and Jerry Covell in the background. They are standing in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
A camera films Tim Rarus and Jerry Covell at the Deaf President Now! screening event.
I. King Jordan signs and looks to the left. He is standing in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
I. King Jordan at the Deaf President Now! screening event.
Three people sign the letters “D”, “P”, and “N” from left to right. They are standing in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
Gallaudet staff sign the letters “D”, “P”, and “N” at the Deaf President Now! screening event.
Students pose in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
Gallaudet community members pose at the Deaf President Now! screening event.
A family poses in front of a yellow background with repeating instances of the Gallaudet logo and "Deaf President Now!".
A family poses at the Deaf President Now! screening event.
Davis Guggenheim and Nyle DiMarco sit, looking to the left, in front of a brick chimney at Peikoff Alumni House. The chimney has graffiti from students.
Davis Guggenheim and Nyle DiMarco sit in front of the brick chimney at Peikoff Alumni House (also known as “Ole Jim”).
I. King Jordan, Jerry Covell, Tim Rarus, and Greg Hlibok stand and smile for the camera. They are in a large room, with a stained glass window behind.
From left to right: I. King Jordan, Jerry Covell, Tim Rarus, and Greg Hlibok.
Trent Mora and Nyle DiMarco smile for the camera. They are standing in an office, with brown cabinets behind.
Student Body Government President Trent Mora and Nyle DiMarco.
Brandi Rarus, Roberta Cordano, Nyle DiMarco, and Davis Guggenheim smile for the camera. They are standing in an office, with a picture behind.
From left to right: Chief Communications and Admissions Officer Brandi Rarus, Roberta Cordano, Nyle DiMarco, and Davis Guggenheim.

Deaf President Now! premieres on AppleTV+ on May 16.

Gallaudet now has a Legacy Fund in support of DPN’s memory! You can donate to help Gallaudet ensure that future generations keep learning about the impact of Deaf President Now.

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