The Official Posters of 2nd and 3rd D.C. Deaf Film Festivals
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The History of D.C. Deaf Film Festival
The 1st D.C. Deaf Film Festival (formerly known as DCAD ASL Film Festival and D.C. ASL Film Festival) was held on April 11-12, 2008 at Andrew Foster Auditorium, Gallaudet University. The event was founded and organized by both Alexander Zernovoj (DCAD Vice President) and Brianne Burger on the behalf of DCAD.
The founding of the D.C. ASL Film Festival was considered an historic event within the D.C. Deaf community because, for a while, deaf-related film festivals are a permanent fixture at Rochester (New York), Orem (Utah) and other cities around the world, Washington, D.C. held few one-time film festivals with the last one being Deaf Way II's Film and Video Festival in 2002, but it did not have a permanent film festival that it could call its own despite its large deaf community. That is until Zernovoj and Burger set up the D.C. film festival with the intention of making it a permanent ongoing annual event.
The D.C. ASL Film Festival's programming has been described as diverse that can offer rare Deaf classic movies, works by the well-known directors, or exciting experiments by today's independent film and video artists.
In its 2nd year, the Festival exploded from its humble origins into one of the largest of its kind. The 2nd D.C. ASL Film Festival was held at the same venue (Andrew Foster Auditorium) on May 1 - 3, 2009. Zernovoj along with Burger and their film festival committee worked hard to stage the event that will be much bigger than the last one, and they succeeded in doing so. The 2009 film festival programming had been expanded to include more national and international films to enable the D.C. community to have access to more wider and richer base of films. Nearly sixty (60) films from 11 different countries from around the world were screened at the 2nd Festival. The 2nd Festival saw the introduction of several events such as VIP Filmmaker Reception and general public reception, all D.C. Festival firsts.
Immediately after the conclusion of 2nd Festival, the D.C. ASL Film Festival was renamed to the D.C. Deaf Film Festival to accurately represent a rich mix of deaf-related films from around the world screened at the Festival.
After having established itself fast in the international scene, the D.C. Deaf Film Festival came of age with the 3rd Festival held during the weekend of March 26 - 27, 2010. For the 3rd Festival, Burger assumed the full Chairpersonship while Zernovoj became DCAD Board Liaison and remained its PR Director. The 3rd Festival was moved to a new state-of-art venue - the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University - for screening of over 13 hours of premium movie programming of nearly thirty (30) quality films from around the world.
The Film Festival committee is back again busily putting together the 4th Festival in Spring 2012 once more under the guidance of Chairperson Burger. The 4th Festival will be held again at the Jack Morton Auditorium. Several exciting new and returning events are also planned for this event including VIP Filmmaker Reception, general public reception, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions.
Zernovoj says that as long as there are sign languages and deaf communities around the world, the D.C. Deaf Film Festival will always be a permanent fixture for many years to come.
Our Mission
The primary purpose of this film festival is to "celebrate local talented D.C.-based Deaf filmmakers' work and assisting filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience." In addition to this, this festival brings in some national and international Deaf filmmakers' work for everyone to enjoy.
Zernovoj states that "the D.C. Deaf Film Festival is one of the core elements for strengthening Deaf culture in D.C. metropolitan area outside of the Gallaudet University." He sees the film festival as a vehicle to effectively expose our Deaf culture, including its language, to mainstream society through performing arts in the form of films. In other words, not only the Deaf community will enjoy this event, it presents an excellent opportunity for the wider community to gain an insight into Deaf culture.
3rd D.C. Deaf Film Festival Committee
The 3rd Festival committee consists of people well versed in filmmaking and Deaf cinema industry, and other volunteers. The committee consists of the following people:
- Brianne Burger - Co-Founder, Event Chairperson
- Alexander Zernovoj - Co-Founder, Event PR Director and DCAD Board Liaison
- Travis Dougherty - volunteer
- Kevin Bohlin - volunteer
- Shannon Buto - volunteer
- Anna Khutyoran - volunteer
About the District of Columbia Association of the Deaf (DCAD)
DCAD is a community based organization that actively engages in advocacy and empowerment issues affecting DC's deaf and hard of hearing community. Fostering a cohesive and cooperative relationship with the DC Government is one of DCAD's many goals. DCAD was formed over 40 years ago and is an affiliate of the National Assocation of the Deaf.
For more information about DCAD, visit www.dcdeaf.org or send an email DCAD at DCAD(at) dcdeaf (dot) org.
Sponsors and Credits
SORENSON COMMUNICATIONS and THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF MEDIA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS are the proud sponsors of the 3rd D.C. Deaf Film Festival.
The ASL D.C. Deaf Festival provides many levels of sponsorship opportunities designed for companies and organizations of all sizes. For futher information, please contact us at ASLFilm (at) dcdeaf (dot) org.
Note: This D.C. Deaf Film Festival is not affiliated or related to Gallaudet's WORLDEAF Cinema Festival in any way or form.
Communication
Films primarily are in sign language with spoken parts subtitled. Many films may be in sign language, but is not subtitled, may be interpreted into spoken English. A written synopsis will be available in the program book for non-signers.
Accessibility
All programs and events will be conducted in American Sign Language. For more information about language accessibility, please see Communication section above.
On-street disabled parking zones are conveniently located around the Gallaudet campus where the film festival is being held at. We will have volunteers on hand for any disabled filmgoers who may need help.
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