Front Row Films and ASL SLAM are joining forces to bring you Slam Row Film Festival, an exciting new international event celebrating the creativity of signing artists. This year’s festival marks the 20th anniversary of ASL SLAM and will highlight three major genres of creative signing: sign language poetry, Visual Vernacular, and handshape storytelling. Winning entries will be announced at a ceremony on April 25, 2025.

About the Organizers:

ASL SLAM, now celebrating its 20th year in 2025, began by hosting monthly ASL shows in New York City. It has since expanded to cities across the United States and internationally, providing a platform for sign language performers and audiences worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.aslslam.org.

Founded in 2020, Front Row Films is committed to making visual arts accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing communities worldwide. Through education, programming, and expanded access, Front Row Films fosters an inclusive and vibrant arts landscape for all. Learn more at https://www.frontrowfilms.org.

Awards & Prizes

- Sign Language Poetry [traditional]
- Sign Language Poetry [with video-editing]
- Visual Vernacular [traditional]
- Visual Vernacular [with video-edting]
- Handshape Poetry
- Handshape Poetry for Youth

Rules & Terms

Your submission must be a video where the signer performs sign language poetry, visual vernacular, or handshape poetry. Slam Row Film Festival will not have live, in-person competitive performances.

Your video must prominently display signer(s) who identify as D/deaf or hard of hearing.

Do not include a written translation or gloss of your video submission.

For most categories, entrants must be 18 years old or up as of January 1, 2025. For the Handshape Poetry for Youth category, entrants must be aged 13 to 18 on January 1, 2025.

Submissions are open to individuals worldwide.