Schedule
TUESDAY
APRIL 16, 2024
Join us for an extraordinary day at the SignLight International Film Festival, featuring a VIP Welcome Reception with celebrity guests, followed by the powerful film "Being Michelle" and a dessert reception. Don't miss this inspiring event celebrating resilience and empowerment in the Deaf community.
Red Carpet
and
VIP Reception
5:00 pm Filmmakers VIP Welcome Reception
Red Carpet Photos &
Press Interviews
Celebrity Guest Attending
Rosie O'Donnell
CJ Jones,
Ryan Lane
Marlee Matlin
*VIP Ticket required
Opening Night Film
6:30 pm being michelle
Directed by Atin Mehra
followed by a Q & A
Moderator: Rosie O'Donnell
BEING MICHELLE follows the astonishing journey of a deaf and disabled woman who survived incarceration and abuse under unimaginable circumstances by a system that refused to accommodate her needs as a deaf person with autism. Michelle’s trajectory changed when she met Kim Law, a blind volunteer life coach who teaches classes to people in prison. Today, outside of prison, Kim and Michelle are doing the difficult work of unraveling Michelle’s history, of telling the story of Michelle’s traumatic childhood and her adverse experiences in the criminal justice system. With the support of Kim, Michelle realizes her own voice and strength. Throughout the film Michelle’s artwork provides her own depiction of the trauma she survived as well as a means to her recovery.
Dessert Reception
9:00 pm Dessert Reception
following the end of the film and Q &A
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 17, 2024
Embark on an enlightening journey at the SignLight International Film Festival's second day, featuring discussions on Deaf-owned Doves Media and a sneak peek of "Salt and Pepper," along with insights into music and sound design in filmmaking. Join us for engaging conversations, refreshments, and an evening of socializing at the no host bar.
Silver Screen
Theater
9:15 am Morning Mixer
10:00 am Meet and Greet Fellow Filmmakers
11:00 am DØVES Media
Norway's 40-year Success Story
12:00 pm The 4th Dimension:
The Elements of Music and
Sound Design
1:30 pm Short Documentary Films & Q&A
Breaking Silence,
Elevated,
Nina,
My Life in Two Luggages
3:00 pm Alfredo Corrado & Q&A
5:00 pm Pas le choix & Q&A
6:00 pm Evening Mixer
7:30 pm Not Another Deaf Story & Q&A
Showcase
Screening Room
2:15 pm Screening 1
My Glow,
Charlie and the Hunt,
Flirting (With Possibilities)
3:30 pm Screening 2
Love Beyond Boarders,
Expressions,
19:24
4:45 pm Screening 3
The Koda-Chrome
(W)rapper,
The Singer
6:00 pm Screening 4
Memories of the
Warsaw Ghetto
Director's Cut)
7:15 pm Screening 5
Hamburger Airplane,
Raising CODAs,
A Sonic Pulse,
Your Hands
8:30 pm Screening 6
Who The Hell is Nigel?,
Translation,
One Last Time
The Gallery
11:00 am- 7:00 pm Vendor Booths
The Gym
12:00 pm-1:30 pm. Catered Lunch
*Must be
Pre-Purchased
6:00 pm-7:30 pm Catered Dinner
*Must be
Pre-Purchased
DØVES Media:
Norway's 40-year Success Story
Michel Laubacher
Con Mehlum
Producer Michel Laubacher and Director-Screenwriter Con Mehlum discuss the creation and sustainability of Deaf-owned and operated Doves Media and show a sneak peek at their new full-length feature film, Salt and Pepper.
The 4TH Dimension:
The Elements of Music and Sound Design
Dawn Soler
Karol Urban
Trevor Gates
TL Forsberg
Join Academy-nominated Music Supervisor Dawn Soler, alongside brilliant sound mixers and editors Karol Urban and Trevor Gates, as they unveil the to elevate your films with extraordinary sound. Explore the art of selecting perfect melodies and crafting seamless soundscapes, adding an immersive dimension to every scene. Discover best practices and affordable techniques for achieving stellar sound mixing.
Mixers
Open to All
Daily in the Silver Screen Lobby.
Join us for engaging conversations and networking opportunities with filmmakers, panelists, and fellow attendees in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Refreshments available for purchase.
In the evening, there will be a no host bar available for those looking to unwind and socialize after a day of screenings and discussions.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Craft Programing
Welcome to Day 3 of the SignLight International Film Festival! Discover insights into Deaf talent promotion with BSL Zone, learn about television show development from industry experts like Vanessa Taylor Sands, and explore animation production with Janie Kahan. Plus, enjoy more amazing films today!
THURSDAY
APRIL 18, 2024
Silver Screen
Theater
9:15 am Morning Mixer
10:00 am Model of Success:
The U.K. Way w/BSL Zone
12:00 pm Speak in a Whisper
12:45 pm Silent Rhythm
2:15 pm Masterclass: Demystifying
Development
with Vanessa Taylor Sands
4:00 pm Lacrimosa & Q&A
6:00 pm The Tuba Thieves & Q&A
6:30 pm Evening Mixer
8:00 pm What? & Q&A
Showcase
Screening Room
12:15 pm Screening 1
Bent: His Vengence,
Benny,
The Participant
1:30 pm Screening 2
FEARLESS devised,
The Device That Turned
Me Into a Cyborg Was Born the Same Year I Was,
You Are Noted
2:45 pm Screening 3
Night Stop,
Another Influencer,
Passanger,
The Imprint
4:00 pm Masterclass:
Lights, Camera, Animation
with Janie Kahan
6:00 pm Screening 4
Blooming,
The Last Words,
The Photo
7:15 pm Screening 5
Kryptonite,
Silent World,
New Narratives:
The Language of Care.
Inspired
8:30 pm Screening 6
Deaf Identity Ep 1
The Gallery
11:00 am- 7:00 pm Vendor Booths
The Gym
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. SIFF VIP
Invited Lunch
(Not open to public)
5:30 pm-7:00 pm Catered Dinner
*Must be
Pre-Purchased
Our
Story
Models of Success:
The U.K. Way w/BSL Zone
Moderator - Camilla Arnold
Chief Executive/Interim Head of Commissioning,
British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust
Charlie Swinbourne
Executive Producer for Drama,
British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust
For 15 years, BSL Zone has been the world-leader in training, hiring, and promoting Deaf talent in every facet of development, production, and distribution, providing the U.K. Deaf Community with thousands of hours entertainment programming in British Sign Language (BSL). Learn BSL Zone's best practices and gain insights from the unique public-private funding entity, the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust (BSLBT), that made all this possible. Does it provide a way forward for the U.S. and other countries?
Masterclass:
Demystifying Development with Vanessa Taylor Sands
Vanessa Taylor Sands
VP Development, DreamWorks Animation Television
Join us for this illuminating session offering invaluable insights into how captivating television shows are conceived and brought to life. Whether you're an aspiring creator, industry professional, or simply curious about the magic behind your favorite TV series, this event is not to be missed.
Masterclass:
The Animation Pipeline
Janie Kahan
Coordinator, Animation Production
Dive deep into the world of animation and its unique production pipeline with ASL-fluent Animation Production Coordinator Janie Kahan (DreamWorks, Netflix, Nickelodeon).
Mixers
Open to all
Daily in the Silver Screen Lobby.
Join us for engaging conversations and networking opportunities with filmmakers, panelists, and fellow attendees in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Refreshments available for purchase.
In the evening, there will be a no host bar available for those looking to unwind and socialize after a day of screenings and discussions.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Craft Programing
Welcome to the fourth day of the SignLight International Film Festival! Delve into pathways to full inclusion in film festivals, uncover career-building opportunities in documentary filmmaking, and glean insights from rising stars and industry experts. Be sure not to miss the thrilling stage version of the new ASL game show with guest stars and interactive fun - you might even get chosen to play along! Join us for another day filled with inspiration and entertainment at the festival.
FRIDAY
APRIL 19, 2024
Silver Screen
Theater
9:15 am Morning Mixer
10:00 am Presentation:
SONY Pictures Animation
11:00 am Innovations:
What's Now/What's Next
12:00 pm TV Episodic & Q&A
Four Deaf Yorkshiremen
Contest,
Four Deaf Yorkshiremen
and a Wedding,
Here/Not Here
2:00 pm Inside Story:
The Last of Us,
The Company You Keep
CJ Jones,
Keivonn Woodard,
Shaylee Mansfield
3:00 pm Changer: A Handtelling
4:45 pm SignTasTic!
Live Performance
6:00 pm You Shall Hear & Q&A
6:30 pm Evening Mixer
8:00 pm Short Films & Q&A
Diagnonsense,
Veneer,
Father Tongue,
Fractal
Showcase
Screening Room
12:00 pm Career Builders:
Getting into Film Festivals
Moderator: Barbara Twist
Film Festival Alliance
12:45 pm New Horizons:
Opportunities in
Documentary Filmmaking
Moderator: Ranell Shubert, IDA
2:30 pm Screening 1 Episodic TV
Reverberations,
Reverberations:
The Return
3:45 pm Screening 2
I'll Sleep When
You're Dead
5:45 pm Screening 3
Pinky VRS Documentary,
The Hands,
Sir Valence Presents:
Watching U Save our Souls,
So It Goes
7:00 pm Screening 4
Deafening Silence,
A Citizenship Signed Bébian,
They
8:15 pm Screening 5
Let the Chips Fall,
The 5%,
Deaf Fable,
The Rad Scientist
The Gallery
11:00 am- 7:00 pm Vendor Booths
The Gym
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Catered Lunch
*Must be
Pre-Purchased
5:30 pm-7:00 pm Catered Dinner
*Must be
Pre-Purchased
Deadline to purchase meals Wed April 10th.
Sony Pictures Animation Presents
TBD
Innovations: Unleashing Creativity
Melissa Mahlkun
Motion Light Lab
John Tartaglia
Get inspired as you learn about the latest and greatest media projects of Motion Light Lab, the award-winning research and development lab at Gallaudet University. Among the exciting developments, Director Melissa Malzkuhn will show demos of their creation of advanced 3D avatars with sign language created with motion capture technology. And your creative juices will be flowing as acclaimed Creator, Producer, Writer, Director, and Puppeteer, John Tartaglia, currently Creative Supervisor and television development team member at The Jim Henson Company, presents the first public introduction to Henson's proprietary digital puppetry-to-animation technology that paves the way for cost-effective sign language performance in animation!
Inside Story: The Last of Us
The Company You Keep
CJ Jones
DASL The Last of Us, The Company You Keep
Keivonn Woodard
Emmy Nominee: The Last of Us
Shaylee Mansfield
Actor: The Company You Keep
Being a child on set can be a daunting experience. Being a Deaf child on set presents more challenges, or does it? Two rising young stars, Keivonn Woodard, Shaylee Mansfield, and their coach and Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL), CJ Jones share the secrets of their success on these two hit shows.
Craft Programing
Career Builders:
Getting Into Film Festivals
Moderator: Barbara Twist
ED Film Festival Alliance
Angela Lee
Film Independent
Bryne Jones
Easterseals
Whit Spurgeon
Co-Founder & Programming Director,
We Make Movies International Film Festival
Michael Kaufer
For too long, film festivals have been unwelcoming to Deaf filmmakers and Deaf audiences alike. Happily, the "welcome mat" is being put in place at many festivals, and more are to come! Join the movement for full inclusion at film festivals and find out which festivals to submit to now!
New Horizons: Opportunities in Documentary Filmmaking
Ranell Shubert, Moderator
Nonfiction Access Initiative Funds Program Manager,
International Documentary Association
Maria Santos
Funds Program Officer,
International Documentary Association
Mae Thornton Mehra
Producer, being michelle
A career in documentary filmmaking has long been perceived as a struggle. But the immense popularity of streaming, YouTube, and film festivals offers new opportuities to establish a strong reputation and build a multi-faceted career. Find out how!
Live Game Show
SignTastic!
Experience the traveling stage version of the new ASL game show soon to be seen on VSYN+!
You may be chosen to play along with the guest stars!
Created by and starring Dan Cook, co-starring Heather Gray; Founders & Co-Producers of Silent Visual Media.
Saturday
APRIL 20, 2024
Welcome to day five of the SignLight International Film Festival! Join us for a day packed with entertainment suitable for the whole family! Dive into the enchanting world of a Disney animation legend, be the first to learn from the creatives behind a sign language-centered gaming adventure, enjoy live performances, and engage in enlightening conversations about crafting family-friendly programs using Sign Language.
Silver Screen
Theater
9:15 am Morning Mixer
10:00 am Animated Films
Dimensions,
Ice Cubes,
Greta's Storm
11:15 am SignTasTic! Live Performance
12:15 pm Andreas Deja
30 Years at Disney
2:00 pm Nominated Student Films
Danceable,
Deaf Giant,
Interpretation,
DOSH,
5:00 pm Red Carpet and VIP Reception *
7:00 pm Closing Night Award Ceremony*
9:00 pm Desert Reception*
*VIP Ticket required
Showcase
Screening Room
10:00 am The Need, Benefits,
and Market for
Children's Programming
in Sign Language
11:15 am Opportunities in Gaming
Harmonium: The Musical
12:45 pm Screening 1
Leak,
Ladylike,
Finger Brew,
His Hands His Art,
Cat's Got Your Tongue
12:45 pm Screening 2
Millstone,
To My Father,
CODA
The Gym
2:00 pm ASL Hip Hop Workshop
with Matt Maxey
2:30 pm Learn Na'vi Sign Language
with CJ Jones
3:30 pm ASL Hip Hop Workshop
with Matt Maxey
The Gallery
9:15am- 3:00pm Vendor Booth
The Gym
12:00 pm - 1:30pm Catered Lunch *Must be
Pre-Purchased
The Need, Benefits, and Market for
Children's Programming
in Sign Language
Moderator: John Tartaglia
Henson Company
Kathy Robinson
Keivonn Woodard
Actor
Shaylee Mansfield
Actor
Mila Davis-Kent
Actor
Cheri Dowling
Executive Director, American Society for Deaf Children
Yiesel
American Society for Deaf Children
Halle Stanford
President Henson Company
Justine Guadarrama
Parent
Rene Visco
Parent
Melissa Anderson
Parent
Shockingly, there's never been a television show for children in ASL in the U.S. NOW is the time to make that happen! Our panel of experts provide the data, insights, and pitch tips needed to attract creators, producers, and writers of children's programming.
Opportunities in Gaming: The Odd Gentlemen
& The Making of Harmonium:
The ASL Musical
Matt Daigle
Co-Creator
Kay Oldfather-Daigle
Co-Creator
Matt Korba
President, The Odd Gentleman, Creative Director
David Stanton
Vice-President, The Odd Gentleman, Composer
Get the inside story on the creation of this video game sensation, directly from the co-creators Matt and Kay Daigle! A collaboration between Deaf writers, designers, artists, and animators and the award-winning narrative game studio, The Odd Gentlemen, this interactive beautifully animated sign language musical engages players of all ages in the adventures of the young Deaf heroine as she enters a magical land and conjures up a new type of music that can be felt, seen, and is accessible to her friends.
ASL Hip Hop Workshop w/DEAFinitely Dope
Matt Maxey
Energize your body and uplift your spirits as ASL Hip-Hop artist Matt Maxey, aka DEAFinitely Dope, takes you through the steps and signs he's performed in concerts around the country w/Chance the Rapper and other artists!
Learn Na'vi Sign Language
with CJ Jones
CJ Jones
Ready to learn another sign language? CJ Jones created Na'vi Sign Language (NSL) for Avatar 2 and is expanding NSL for Avatar 3! Sign like a Na'vi and spread the word... uh, signs!
Special Guest Presentation:
30 Years at Disney w/Andreas Deja
Andreas Deja
Disney Animator
A rare oppportunity to learn about the amazing career of the world-renown animator who brought to life some of your favorite characters from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Enchanted, and more! Plus, a special screening of Andreas' most recent animated short, Mushka. Following his presentation, Andreas will meet with the audience in the lobby and hand out autographed art from The Lion King.
Craft Programing
Closing Night Award Gala
Award Ceremony
7:00 pm Closing Night
Award Ceremony *
Host: Rosa Lee
Performances by
Beautiful the Artist
Justin Perez
Keith Sho Roc Brown
Orel Barajas
TL Forsberg
Urban Jazz Dance Company
Dessert Reception
9:00 pm Dessert Reception *
Following the end of the ceremony
