Private Project

Interpretation

It’s the first day of classes, and an ASL interpreter realizes that it will be a painful semester interpreting for a myopic professor and a smart-ass student.

  • MJ Kiego
    Director
  • MJ Kiego
    Writer
  • Emily Catalfamo
    Key Cast
    "Student"
  • Alivia E Cotton
    Key Cast
    "Interpreter"
  • Kay Harry
    Key Cast
    "Teacher"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    drama, comedy, disability
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    American Sign Language
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Texas, Austin
Director Biography - MJ Kiego

MJ Kiego is a multi-generational Deaf and queer filmmaker who graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2013 with a BFA in Film. She is currently finishing her MFA in Film Production at the University of Texas in Austin. MJ is also the founder of the Zankza Project, a nonprofit organization with a mission to elevate Deaf artists, filmmakers, and creators. One of the Zankza Projects was the inaugural Deaf Film Festival in Austin, Texas, where there is a huge Deaf community striving to see films done for and with talented Deaf individuals.

She works with the award-winning Motion Light Lab housed at Gallaudet University and was the Media Director for Copper & Water, where she collaborated on video projects for the Deaf community. She is also working as the Director of Events for the upcoming Deaf Way Film Festival in Washington DC, and as the Festival Director for the 2026 Seattle Deaf Film Festival.

MJ has written, directed and produced over 10 short films that have been nominated in various international film festivals. Some of her work such as Interpretation (2023), Dimensions (2022), so it goes. (2021), and The Pastman (2018) have gone on to win awards. MJ was also involved as an assistant editor for the Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (2025) feature documentary.

MJ wants to share amazing stories from the Deaf community created by talented Deaf individuals with the rest of the world.

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