Stories from SXSW: Films That Speak to Deaf and Hearing Audiences Alike

Hundreds of filmmakers came to Austin, Texas, to attend the SXSW Film Festival this past weekend. Their films ranged from narrative features to short documentaries to music videos. Almost all of them had at least one thing in common: a soundtrack. But the work of deaf filmmaker, designer and animator Robyn Girard stood out from the rest of the pack.

Girard, a visual storyteller who works to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing audiences through film and animation, spoke at the SXSW Film Conference and Festival about the portrayal of deaf people in film, how popular films often perpetuate stereotypes and how the deaf community can counteract those perceptions.

"It's our job," says Girard, "to prove that deaf people are not silent." In other words, not being able to hear doesn't mean they can't make some noise in the culture.



@FiorenzaMella

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