Derby Signfest 2019 events at QUAD

Derby Signfest 2019 events at QUAD in September Encounters Deaf Short film programme  and Animation workshop

Encounters Deaf Shorts 2019 is a new collection of short films that aim to normalise D/deafness on screen. The collection of films will be followed by an BSL (British Sign Language) interpreted Q&A with Deaf Filmmaker Louise Stern, whose film Boat is featured in the programme. Louise Stern is the fourth generation deaf. She uses various forms of language to explore communication and isolation, working in literature, visual art, performance and film. Her film experience has included being assistant to established filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson.

This selection of films in Encounters Deaf Shorts 2019 are themed to celebrate a centenary of the suffragette movement with all leading roles all being played by D/deaf women. The films are: The Last Time I Saw You, You’re Lost, Little Girl, A Woman Like Me, Boat, plus the latest winner of the Encounters Deaf Shorts Showcase award, To Know Him. The programme was curated by Encounters Film Festival, the UK’s leading short film and animation festival, accredited to three major global awards: the Oscars, BAFTAs and European Film Awards. The films will all feature English subtitles.

Encounters Deaf Shorts 2019 plus Q&A (certificate 15) S takes place in QUAD on Sunday 15th September from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The screenings will start promptly as there will be no ads and trailers. Tickets are £5.00 and can be booked online: https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/whats-on/cinema/encounters-deaf-shorts-2019-qa

Also as part of Derby SignFest, Sign Sync Animation is an event exploring digital animation techniques used to communicate in British Sign Language (BSL). QUAD Digital Participation Curator John Whall will lead a one-off workshop introducing people to everyday signs, as well as showing how to use animation skills to create animated sequences.

John said “In this special workshop we will use techniques normally used for lip-synching in animated films, where the lip movements are matched to sound recordings, but instead focusing on BSL hand gestures. We will be using a mixture of 2D cut out and digital stop motion animation techniques using iPads. We’ll be focusing on basic everyday signs for example for “hello” and “my name is.”

Sign Sync Animation is free and suitable for anyone aged fourteen and above, taking place in QUAD on Saturday 14th September, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. For more information please see: https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/whats-on/get-creative/derby-signfest-sign-sync-animation 

Derby Signfest Festival takes place from 9th to 15th September 2019. For more information and full festival listings please see: http://www.derbysignfest.co.uk @derbysignfest @DSignfest