Filmfreeway deaffest

Deaffest - UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival

Date of next Deaffest: 8th - 10th May 2026

Location: Wolverhampton, UK

Deaffest, a festival under Zebra Access CIO, is the UK’s leading Deaf-led Film & Arts Festival. Founded in Wolverhampton, UK in 2006, Deaffest supports, nurtures and showcases the talents of both emerging and established D/deaf filmmakers and artists from the UK and around the globe.

Through its diverse events, the festival plays a vital role in preserving Deaf culture, heritage, and sign languages from all over the world, including British Sign Language (BSL) through film and arts. Deaffest celebrates the richness and diversity of Deaf culture, offering a platform for D/deaf filmmakers and artists to share their stories, knowledge and experiences. It also provides inspiration, education, and empowerment for the next generation of D/deaf individuals.

Deaffest is renowned for its influential role in promoting Deaf culture and bringing attention to the challenges that D/deaf individuals encounter in the arts and media sectors, fostering a deeper global understanding and appreciation of Deaf culture.

Now running for nearly 20 years, the internationally acclaimed Deaf Film & Arts Festival will return to Wolverhampton from May 8th to 10th, 2026 for its 16th edition and 10th Film & TV Awards. Deaffest 2026 will feature subtitled premieres and screenings, exhibitions, accessible workshops and events, panel discussions, performances, networking opportunities, all presented alongside with high-profile and surprise guests, as well as virtual streaming via the Deaffest Online Cinema.

For more information, visit www.deaffest.co.uk.

Awards & Prizes

FILM AWARD CATEGORIES:

BEST FILM
OPEN TO UK AND INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS. Films must be OVER 20 minutes. Deaffest welcomes any genre such as action, comedy, horror, romance, etc.
Please note: at least one D/deaf individual MUST have undertaken the role of Producer, Director, or Writer of this production.

BEST UK SHORT FILM
OPEN TO UK FILMMAKERS. Films must be UNDER 20 minutes. Deaffest welcomes any genre such as action, comedy, horror, romance, etc.
Please note: at least one D/deaf individual MUST have undertaken the role of Producer, Director, or Writer of this production.

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS. Films must be UNDER 20 minutes. Deaffest welcomes any genre such as action, comedy, horror, romance, etc.
Please note: at least one D/deaf individual MUST have undertaken the role of Producer, Director, or Writer of this production.

BEST DOCUMENTARY
OPEN TO UK AND INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS. Have you got a great factual report on a particular subject? Deaffest wants to see something you're passionate about in your film, it could feature interviews and creative shots.
Please note: at least one D/deaf individual MUST have undertaken the role of Producer, Director, or Writer of this production.

BEST ARTISTIC SHORT FILM
OPEN TO UK AND INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS. Deaffest welcomes experimental films UNDER 20 minutes, which also includes animation, special effects, music videos, etc.
Please note: at least one D/deaf individual MUST have undertaken the role of Producer, Director, or Writer of this production.

BEST TELEVISION PROGRAMME
OPEN TO UK AND INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS. If you have a series, please submit your best episode.
Please note: at least one D/deaf individual MUST have undertaken the role of Producer, Director, or Writer of this production.

BEST DIRECTOR
Recognition for a D/deaf director who has demonstrated outstanding directing skills, based on the submitted film.

BEST SCREENWRITER - (Film categories only)
Recognition for the D/deaf screenwriter who created an outstanding script for the submitted film.

BEST ACTOR
Recognition for a talented male D/deaf actor who has exhibited outstanding acting in the submitted film.

BEST ACTRESS
Recognition for a talented female D/deaf actress who has exhibited outstanding acting in the submitted film.

BEST PRESENTER - (Television & Documentary categories only)
Recognition for a talented D/deaf presenter who delivers a confident, passionate, professional and charismatic performance. (This must be submitted by the Production company NOT individuals).

Rules & Terms


- Open to UK and International filmmakers - (dependent on the category).

- Deaffest welcomes films completed FROM 1st January 2024.

- Deaffest supports D/deaf media professionals by showcasing their productions at the festival to give them equal recognition for their work. To further champion the work of D/deaf media professionals, the festival requires significant D/deaf representation in the screenings. Therefore, the majority of the individuals cast in the production and hired behind the scenes must be D/deaf for your submission to be considered. Please contact us if you are unsure.

- The award nominees for Best ‘Director’, ‘Screenwriter’, ‘Actor’, ‘Actress’, and ‘Presenter’ must be D/deaf to be nominated for this category.

- The award nominees for Best ‘Film’, ‘UK Short Film’, ‘International Short Film’, and ‘Documentary’ must have D/deaf Producer, Director, or Writer.

- Films must be submitted in high-definition and feature embedded English subtitles. Submissions without English subtitles will be automatically rejected.

- Deaffest is unable to return any film submission materials, with the exception of hard drives, which will only be returned upon request (incurring postage and administration charges). Alternatively, you can arrange to collect your hard drive at Deaffest weekend (8th - 10th May 2026). If you wish to do this, you must email media@deaffest.co.uk before the festival.

- If you wish to withdraw your submission, please contact Deaffest as soon as possible. All fees are non-refundable. Penalty charges will apply.

- Submissions for the Film & TV Awards will be selected based on script, cinematography, structure, characters, entertainment value and overall quality.

- If your submission is not shortlisted for the Film & TV Awards, Deaffest retains the right to screen the film in the non-competition category.

- Deaffest retains the right to not accept submissions deemed unsuitable for the festival.

- If your submission is not suitable for daytime screening, it may be shown at a later time and will include an over 18 age restriction.

- Your submission will NOT be accepted if this form has not been completed.

- Certificates (nominees and winners) and awards (winners only) will be available for collection during the Film & TV Awards Gala on Saturday 9th May 2026. A member of the Deaffest team will be in touch to confirm the arrangements with you.

- If nominated, your presence will be a valuable addition to the 10th Film & TV Awards Gala, where you can celebrate your achievements and network with your fellow nominees. In the unfortunate event that you cannot attend, you must inform us of who will be able to collect the award on your behalf prior to the festival.

- Postage and administration fees will apply for the certificates/awards that are not collected at the festival.

- Nominees for the Film & TV Awards will receive ONE complimentary ticket each (regardless of how many nominations received).

- Due to the high volume of submissions, Deaffest will not be able to provide individual feedback.

- The Judges' decisions are final.