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   2025 FESTIVAL WINNERS

Congrats to our winners!

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 Animation 

Ghost Sandwich

 3:05 min   |   [CC]    

A deaf woman goes out to order a sandwich, but loses her phone and struggles to get the food that she wants from people who don't know sign language.

Directed by Lymon Thorn

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Short

Glass Cage

12 min  |   [CC]

A deaf woman battles an internal force gnawing at her will to live, in a haunting cinematic mood piece that explores isolation and resilience. 

Directed by Jules Dameron 

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Feature

OkThanksBye

90 min  |   [CC}

An adventurous coming-of-age drama about two young deaf girls who go on an unforgettable road trip together where they not only get to know each other better, but also themselves. 

Directed by Nicole van Kilsdonk

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 Short 

Echoes Between the Land and Blue Sky:The Lives of Mongolian

Deaf Nomads 

30 min  |   [CC]

Echoes Between Land and Blue Sky: The Lives of Mongolian Deaf Nomads documentary spotlights the lives of deaf herders in Mongolia, an overlooked community uniquely affected by climate change. Set against the backdrop of Mongolia's breathtaking yet unforgiving landscapes, the film introduces herders who navigate the challenges of isolation, environmental shifts, and cultural preservation. The documentary is structured into four acts, each focused on a different herder family, interconnected by overarching themes of climate resilience, cultural identity, and social inclusion. 

Directed by Itgel Byambadori

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Feature

Alfredo Corrado

90 min  |  [CC]

This unique documentary on Alfredo Corrado recounts the creation of International Visual Theater (IVT) and the adventures of the first deaf theater in France at the Château de Vincennes, which changed the history of deaf people in France. 

Directed by Julien Bourges 

2025 Program Book

Portrait of MJ Kiego

With heartfelt gratitude,


MJ Kiego
Founder & President, The Zankza Project
Chair, Deaf Film Festival

  WELCOME!  

Welcome to the 2025 Deaf Film Festival

Thank you for joining us for the second biennial Deaf Film Festival in Austin, Texas. What began as a single event hosted by The Zankza Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Deaf artists and creatives, has grown into a citywide celebration of Deaf cinema, culture, and community. This year’s festival expands across three venues throughout Austin, showcasing powerful stories told through the visual language and artistry of Deaf filmmakers from around the world.

Over the next three days—October 10–12, 2025—we invite you to experience an exciting lineup of films, workshops, and conversations that highlight the depth and diversity of Deaf storytelling. From intimate shorts to full-length features, each screening opens a window into creativity, resilience, and collaboration within our community.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, cinephile, or a supporter of inclusive art, your presence helps sustain a growing movement that amplifies Deaf voices and nurtures connections that extend far beyond the screen.

   2025 SCHEDULE   

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10

  4:00 pm 

Filmmaker Dinner

  5:00 pm  

Aweability Event with ASL Slam - City Hall
 

  • Idle Hands   

  • Deaf Capo        

  7:30 pm  

Festival Kickoff - The Violet Crown

  • Serendipity by Sofia.  8 minutes

  • Signs from the Mainland   18 minutes

  • Don't Look   14 minutes  

  • Contours  13 minutes

  • OKThanksBye   1 hour and 30 minutes

  10:00 pm  

Socialize 

• 6th Street
• The Holdout 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11

   9:30 am   

Doors open at Texas School for the Deaf Auditorium

  10:00 am  

Screening - TSD Auditorium

  • Memory Flows in the Living   1 hour

  11:00 am  

Screenwriting Workshop - TSD Auditorium

  •  Adam Membrey x WriterDuet   30 minutes

  11:30 am  

Screening - TSD Auditorium

  • Resilience   18 minutes

  • The Tales of Victor   13 minutes

  • Ruptures of Disability Difference   2 minutes  

  • Ghost Sandwich   3 minutes

  • Fluent   9 minutes

  • Medal Chase   10 minutes

  12:30 pm  

Lunch Break 

  • Lotz BBQ 

  • Sip n' Connect

  • Trubiz Waffle

  • Tunisian Bakes

  1:00 pm  

Screening - TSD Auditorium

  • Alfredo Corrado   1 hour and 30 minutes

  2:45 pm  

Q&A with Filmmakers

  •  Filmmakers    30 minutes

  3:30 pm  

Screening - TSD Auditorium

  • Talk   2 minutes

  • Remote Strutting   12 minutes

  • Echoes Between Land and Blue Sky   30 minutes

  • Glass Cage   12 minutes

  • Beyond Silence   18 minutes

  • Between Signs and Tides   16 minutes

  5:00 pm  

Dinner Break 

  • Lotz BBQ 

  • Sip n' Connect

  • Trubiz Waffle

  • Tunisian Bakes

  6:00 pm  

Screening - TSD Auditorium

  • The Way We Talk  2 hours and 10 minutes

  8:30 pm  

AFTERPARTY - The Sunset Room

  9:00 pm  

Awards Announcement

  9:30 pm  

The Harold Foxx Show

  10:00 pm  

21+ Only

  12:30 am  

Last Call for Alcohol

  1:00 am  

Festival Afterparty Ends

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12

  10:00 am  

Meet the Filmmakers Brunch - TSD

  • Trubiz Waffle

  • Laura's Empanadas

  • Tunisian Bakes

  11:00 am  

Screening - TSD Auditorium

  • Silent Rhythm   30 minutes

  • Unmasking Deaf Ed   55 minutes

  • The Power of Goodbye   23 minutes

  1:30 pm  

Closing Ceremony - TSD Auditorium

  • Deaf Film Festival Committee   30 minutes

Deaf Film Festival location on the map

HOW TO GET TO DFF

Friday: The Violet Crown  (movie theater)

434 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

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Saturday & Sunday: Texas School for the Deaf - Main Auditorium
1102 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Saturday Afterparty: The Sunset Room 

310 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701

Texas School for the Deaf Map

ALL FILMS

   AFTERPARTY AT
THE SUNSET ROOM   

310 E 3RD ST, AUSTIN, TX 78701   |   8:30 PM to 1:00 AM

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  What to expect: 

Entertainment by Harold Foxx with MC, Renca Dunn.

There will be appetizers, desserts, and alcoholic beverages included in your ticket.
Come try our themed cocktail: The Paparazzie!

  8:30 pm  

Social & Hors d'Oeuvres

  9:00 pm  

Awards Announcement

  9:30 pm  

The Harold Foxx Show

  10:00 pm  

21+ Only

  12:30 pm  

Last Call for Alcohol

  1:00 am  

Closing

THE INSTITUTE

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At the heart of the Deaf Film Festival is The Institute, a collective of Deaf filmmakers, artists, storytellers, and supporters who serve as the festival’s screening committee and judging body. The name “Institute” is inspired by the Deaf school sign, a gesture recognized across the world as a symbol of community, learning, and growth. We aim to carry that same meaning into the world of film, cultivating a space where Deaf creativity, mentorship, and collaboration thrive.

 

Our institute members consist of directors, editors, writers, actors, or producers– each contributing their unique expertise to support and advance Deaf cinema. In keeping with our commitment to growth and inclusion, filmmakers who have actively contributed to the festival are invited to join The Institute, ensuring that every new generation of filmmakers helps shape the next. Through this evolving circle of artists, The Institute stands as both a celebration of Deaf achievement and a foundation for the future of Deaf storytelling.

About The Institute

OUR TEAM

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  MJ Kiego  

Founder & Festival Director

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Adam Membrey

Programmer

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Jojo Savea

Marketing Director

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Toj Mora

Technical Director

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  Deidra Pelletier  

Events Coordinator

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Kristin Williams

Volunteer Coordinator

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OUR GRATITUDE

Thank you to the City of Austin for awarding the Elevate grant to the Deaf Film Festival!

SPECIAL THANKS TO
OUR SPONSORS

Without our sponsors, the Deaf Film Festival would not have been possible.

 Executive Producer 

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rogervoice

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Serverdev

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Texas School for the Deaf

 Producer 

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Dovetail Communication Group

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H-E-B

 Co-Producer 

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SAGIndie

 Associate Producer 

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Inka's Screen Printing

LensRental logo

Lensrentals

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ZVRS & Purple Communications

 Many thanks to the following: 

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Tito's Handmade Vodka

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Writerduet

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Amy's Ice Creams

  WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE SHOW   

Thank you for being part of the second annual Deaf Film Festival! We are so grateful to our sponsors, the creatives who submitted their incredible films, our judges, and everyone who helped us work toward the success of this event.

BE IN THE KNOW

Thanks for submitting!

© 2025 by Zankza Project

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