Now. Here. This. (12A)
Encounters Film Festival Deaf Shorts programme for Deaf Awareness Week

Available to stream for free
Friday 1st – Friday 8th May 2020
www.encounters.film/now-here-this

Q&A watch party, 4.00pm, Tuesday 5th May
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/EncountersSFF/ or YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/EncountersFestival 

To celebrate Deaf Awareness Week (4-10 May) Encounters Film Festival presents a new package of stories of films featuring deaf talent in front of and behind the camera. 

Available online from Friday 1st – Friday 8th May 2020, the films are available to watch for free at www.encounters.film/now-here-this

Now. Here. This. Is a collection of stories of new and old relationships, life-changing revelations and big nights out.  

As part of this week-long event, the Encounters team will be also hosting a live Watch Party broadcast of the programme on Tuesday 5th May at 4pm. The online event includes a chance to find out more about the films from the people who created them (subject to BSL interpreter availability)

The screening and Watch Party event is available via multiple platforms. You can find it at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EncountersSFF/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/EncountersFestival 

This programme and the Watch Party are also free to stream. 

Rich Warren, Festival Director of Encounters Film Festival said:

“It’s fantastic to be able to present these films to the public. The world is in a unique place right now and cinema has the power to bring people together – even whilst our auditoria are closed.  We think that the films that make up Now. Here. This. represent a fantastic selection of terrific talent working today and we hope that audiences around the world enjoy watching them and enjoy finding out more about the creation of them directly from the filmmakers.”

THE PROGRAMME

The films featured in the programme all competed for the Deaf Shorts award at the 25th edition of the Encounters Film Festival in September 2019.  The total runtime is 47 minutes.

All films are subtitled for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

WELCOME TO THE BALL

A child learns sign language in the hope of making a new friend.
USA 2019 | 5 mins | Language: English/ASL Director: Adam Vincent Wright. 

IF YOU KNEW

After months of fighting and no communication, two teenager twin brothers come together to spend a day in Canvey Island.

UK 2018 | 5 mins | Language: English/Subtitled Director: Stroma Cairns. 

PUB JOKE

In this comedy about misunderstandings, Ben tells a deaf couple a joke about a deaf man’s house burning down. Will they see the funny side or not? 

UK 2019 | 2 mins | Language: English/BSL Director: Charlie Swinbourne. 

HOPE

Hope is a carefree, fun-loving Deaf teenager. But a fatal cancer diagnosis is about to turn her life upside down.

UK 2019 | 27 mins | Language: English/BSL Director: David Ellington.

SIGNKID – DUMBASS (MUSIC VIDEO)

Dumbass is an artistic short film exploring the history of the word dumb and how it has marginalised deaf people. Opening with a short history lesson to set the record straight, it then celebrates the talent of a deaf artist SignKid, who raps to the camera with signsong. 

UK 2019 | 4 mins | Language: English/BSL Director: Alexander Darby. 

AVA 

A babysitter takes over for the night. There are some unexpected consequences.

UK 2019 | 4 mins | Language: English/BSL Director: William Grint. 

If you would like to find out more about the programme or Encounters Film Festival members of the public should visit www.encounters.film.

ENDS

For further information please contact dave@encounters.film

A selection of images are available in this Dropbox: https://bit.ly/2W6fplB

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT ENCOUNTERS FILM FESTIVAL

Encounters Film Festival is the UK’s foremost international short film and animation festival. Taking place every September in the city of Bristol, Encounters is a platform for new and emerging talent in the film industry, widening the lens of the sector with a diverse and inspirational selection of international talent.

www.encounters.film 

@EncountersSFF