Two Deaf Films screened at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival

Have you heard about the Sundance Film Festival 2025? The Sundance Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, focusing on independent films. It takes place annually in Park City, Utah, typically in January. It is known for showcasing a wide range of independent films across various genres, including drama, documentary, and experimental cinema.

Founded by actor Robert Redford in 1981, the festival has become a platform for emerging filmmakers and has helped launch the careers of many notable directors, producers, and actors. Some of the most famous films that premiered at Sundance include The Blair Witch Project, Little Miss Sunshine, Whiplash, and Beasts of the Southern Wild.

In addition to films, the festival hosts panels, Q&A sessions, and workshops, providing a space for creators to discuss their work and for industry professionals to network. It’s also known for attracting celebrities, filmmakers, and critics, making it a significant event in the world of independent cinema.

This year 2 Deaf films will be included in the festival. The names of the films are Marlee Matlin: Not Alone and Deaf President Now!. The festival dates for 2025 were between January 23, 2025, to February 2, 2025.

 What is the importance of the film: Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auJxU6OvvE0

This documentary was directed by Shoshannah Stern whom Marlee recommended as Marlee wanted a Deaf director to do a documentary on her when folks from American Masters Pictures/PBS expressed interest to Marlee in doing a documentary on her. 

Shoshannah Stern is an American actress, best known for her roles in television and film, as well as her advocacy for the Deaf community. Stern is Deaf and has been a prominent figure in bringing Deaf representation to mainstream media. She is widely recognized for her role in the TV series “Jericho” (2006-2008), where she played Bonnie Richmond, a Deaf character, in a post-apocalyptic drama. The show was groundbreaking in that it showcased Deaf characters without focusing solely on their Deafness, providing them with complex, well-rounded roles.

Shoshannah Stern has also appeared in other TV series, including “The L Word“, “Weeds“, and “Supernatural” (in which she played the character Eileen Leahy, a Deaf hunter), further establishing herself as a versatile actress in both mainstream and genre TV. In addition to her acting, she is an advocate for the Deaf community and has worked to increase awareness and representation in the entertainment industry.

She has also been involved in writing and producing, including her work on the series “This Close“, a show about two Deaf best friends navigating their lives, relationships, and careers. Stern co-created and starred in the show alongside fellow Deaf actor Josh Feldman, which was praised for its authentic representation of Deaf culture and experiences.

Stern’s career and advocacy work continue to push for greater visibility and inclusion for Deaf actors and individuals, particularly in Hollywood, where such representation has historically been lacking. She is a strong voice in promoting positive portrayals of Deaf people, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and breaking stereotypes.

The documentary takes a look at Marlee’s journey as a Deaf person and how she became a well-known actress in Hollywood.  Marlee Matlin is an American actress, author, and activist who is best known for her groundbreaking role in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She remains the youngest actress to win that award at 21 years old. Matlin is deaf, and her win was significant as it highlighted the importance of representation for the Deaf community in Hollywood. 

In addition to her acting career, she has been an advocate for the Deaf community and disability rights. Matlin has appeared in a wide range of TV shows and films, including The West Wing, Switched at Birth, and The L Word. She also wrote a memoir, I’ll Scream Later and has been involved in various charity and advocacy work.

Her career and activism continue to inspire many, and she remains a prominent figure in advocating for accessibility and representation in entertainment.

The other film, Deaf President Now! Was directed by Nyle DiMarco.  Nyle DiMarco is an American model, actor, and activist, best known for being the first Deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model in 2015. He went on to become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and a passionate advocate for the Deaf community. Nyle is also known for his work as a spokesperson for Deaf rights and accessibility, using his platform to raise awareness about the issues facing Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

In addition to his modeling career, Nyle has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, where he also made history by becoming the first Deaf contestant to win the competition. He has used his success in the entertainment world to promote positive representation of Deaf people, emphasizing the importance of visibility and inclusion.

Nyle is a strong advocate for American Sign Language (ASL) and has worked to increase awareness about Deaf culture. He founded the Nyle DiMarco Foundation, which aims to promote the rights and opportunities of Deaf individuals, with a focus on education, access to resources, and supporting Deaf children and their families.

Beyond his work as an activist, Nyle is also involved in various social justice initiatives, focusing on equality, empowerment, and visibility for marginalized communities. His presence in mainstream media has been a major step forward in terms of representing Deaf individuals in entertainment.

The Deaf President Now (DPN) movement was a pivotal protest and advocacy campaign that took place in 1988 at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s only university designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The movement was sparked by the appointment of a hearing person, Dr. Elizabeth Zinser, as the university’s president, even though the majority of the student body and faculty were Deaf.

At the time, Gallaudet had a long history of leadership by hearing presidents, and many students, faculty, and staff felt that it was time for the university to be led by someone from the Deaf community. The movement gained momentum as students, faculty, and alumni protested the appointment, demanding a Deaf president, along with other key demands related to representation, inclusion, and access.

On March 6, 1988, a large group of students went on a peaceful protest, blocking access to the campus and making their voices heard. The movement gained national attention and support from the wider Deaf community and allies. The students’ activism resulted in the resignation of Dr. Zinser and the appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan, the first Deaf president of Gallaudet University.

DPN was a landmark moment in Deaf history, not only because it resulted in the first Deaf president but also because it significantly advanced the cause of Deaf rights, cultural pride, and the push for greater inclusion in higher education and other areas of society. The movement highlighted the importance of self-determination and representation, and it became a rallying point for Deaf advocacy, leading to more visibility and activism within the Deaf community.

The DPN movement is often seen as a turning point in the history of Deaf rights and an inspiring example of grassroots activism. Troy Kotsur, who was in Sian Heder’s CODA film and received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his work in this film, CODA. 

Sian Heder is an American screenwriter, director, and producer, best known for her work on the critically acclaimed film CODA (2021). Heder wrote and directed CODA, which became a significant milestone in Deaf representation in cinema. The film, which tells the story of Ruby Rossi, a hearing teenager who is the only hearing member of a Deaf family, was praised for its authentic portrayal of Deaf culture and its use of American Sign Language (ASL). Heder’s direction and script captured the complexities of the family dynamic, as well as the challenges Ruby faces in balancing her own dreams with the needs of her family.

CODA was a huge success, winning several awards, including three Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay for Heder, Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur, and Best Picture. Heder’s success with CODA marked her as a prominent filmmaker in Hollywood and a key advocate for better representation of Deaf characters and stories in mainstream film.

Kotsur attended Deaf President Now movement in 1988.  He was a student at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. during the  movement and he protested for 3 days.  Troy Kotsur is a highly acclaimed American actor, director, and advocate who is Deaf. He is best known for his role in the 2021 film CODA, where he played Frank Rossi, the father of a Deaf family. His performance in the film was widely praised, and he made history by becoming the second Deaf actor (after Marlee Matlin) to win an Academy Award for acting. Kotsur won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2022 for his role in CODA, marking a monumental moment in the representation of Deaf actors in Hollywood.

Kotsur’s career spans theater, television, and film, and he is recognized not only for his acting but also for his work as a director and producer in the Deaf community. He has performed in numerous stage productions, including works by the National Theatre of the Deaf and other theater companies, contributing significantly to the visibility of Deaf talent in the performing arts.

In addition to his acting and directing, Kotsur is a passionate advocate for Deaf rights and accessibility. He works to raise awareness about the importance of representation for Deaf individuals both in the entertainment industry and beyond. His involvement in CODA was particularly impactful because the film provided an authentic portrayal of Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL), featuring a mostly Deaf cast and crew.

Kotsur’s success in CODA has been seen as a turning point for Deaf representation in Hollywood, demonstrating that Deaf actors can lead powerful, award-winning performances and bring authentic perspectives to their roles. He continues to inspire both the Deaf and hearing communities through his work and advocacy.

Why is it significant to have these films at the film festival? Those 2 films were directed by Deaf celebrities, Shoshannah Stern and Nyle DiMarco.  This brings a lot of visibility to the world and in the Deaf community.

Presently, both films are still under the festival circuit but they most likely will end up on streaming platforms for those who couldn’t see it at Sundance.  Deaf President Now! The film can be seen on Apple TV once it becomes available on this streaming service.

References:

https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/marlee-matlin-not-alone-anymore-review-sundance-1236284175/

https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2024/12/apple-original-films-announces-groundbreaking-new-documentary-film-deaf-president-now-featuring-the-historic-gallaudet-university-protests/

Social media announcements on Instagram

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/marlee-matlin-not-alone-anymore-review-documentary-1236115822/

https://www.edgemedianetwork.com/story/337025

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33322301/

Dennis Valansi

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