Screening time: 23 September – 31 December 2019

In celebration of International Day of Sign Languages, we are partnering with Shanghai International Deaf Film Festival to launch Deaf Film Online Showcase. In total, six British and two Chinese short films will be made available on different Chinese social media platforms hosted by British Council. All films showcase an overall perspective of deaf issues.

Matthew Knowles, Area Director East China of the British Council, said “One of the British Council’s foundational commitments is our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. This new initiative draws on the power of creativity to change the way we perceive the world and we hope it will also enable all of us to refresh our understanding of the deaf community.”

We will also work with partners to present offline screenings in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen  throughout the year. The offline events may also include audience and panel discussions after the screenings. 

Sam Zheng, the organiser of Shanghai International Deaf Film Festival, said, “The showcase will help talented filmmakers reach a larger audience, and more importantly send messages on inclusion and challenge stereotypes cast on the deaf community. Film is one of the best mediums for overcoming such stereotypes.”

Online screening platform list

  • British Council WeChat account: bc-china
  • British Council Weibo account：英国大使馆文化教育处
  • British Council Bilibili account：英国大使馆文化教育处

Six UK films

  • Deaf Rave (2018): The four-minute short was directed by filmmaker Coral Brown, and shines a light on Troi Lee and his pioneering event Deaf Rave
  • Big Mouth · Henry Duke (2011): WINNER Brief Encounters Bristol “for outstanding performances, for its passion, and for the handling of a range of heartfelt relationships” Brief Encounters Jury. Also WINNER BEST FILM Cornwall Film Festival.
  • The End · Ted Evans (2011): It is a powerful, moving award winning drama spanning a 60 year period. Charting the introduction of the “treatment” and the subsequent decline of Deaf culture.
  • The Future Is Dead · Phoebe Capewell (2018): Inspired by the British television series Black Mirror, this film shapes a data-controlled future in 4 minutes.
  • Signs of an Affair · Louis Neethling (2017): A black comedy about Flora, who suspects her husband of 21 years is up to no good.
  • Silent Laughs · Natalia Kouneli (2016): A deaf stand-up comedian performing in sign language fights for her dream to bring deaf culture to mainstream audiences in a playful way.

Two Chinese films

  • Deaf Girls Monologues · Vice (2017): It is a documentary of how deaf girls live and fight in China. The film shows a group of deaf girls in Wuhan, rehearsing for the renowned The Vagina Monologues.
  • Silent Version of Water Scene · Qiao Shengxiang (2018): No words, no sounds, only movements. A poetic dance film that brings a sense of serenity.  
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