“D-PAN aims to make music and music culture accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community, and to give recognition to deaf and hard of hearing artists everywhere”
White Stripes “We’re Going To Be Friends” Produced by D-PAN, the Deaf Professional Arts Network American Sign Language Direction by Ronald Dans Directed by Nicholas Hill of Lucky Airlines
video made possible by Sorenson Communications.
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This video is an ASL interpretation of Pharrell Williams’s “Happy.” An expression of music in ASL composed by Rosa Lee Timm and Azora Telford. The video was produced by a team of Deaf campers & staff from Deaf Film Camp 2014 at Camp Mark Seven.
https://www.neohear.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Pharrells-Happy-in-ASL.png900900geelearnhttps://www.neohear.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/hearosLogoRound.pnggeelearn2025-12-29 07:49:002025-12-23 03:36:19Pharrell’s “Happy” in ASL | Deaf Film Camp at CM7
“These signed-along-to-songs were made initially for children that I work with who use sign supported English or other signing systems to help them express their needs. For this reason the songs are chosen with care and signed to follow lyrics as closely as possible. I hope to share a feeling of inclusion and understanding and encourage communication in all it’s forms. ” – SignSing
Sign Along With Us scored a Golden Buzzer for their uplifting performance of ‘This Is Me’, combining music with sign language for a truly inspiring Series 14 moment.
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This year has been monumental for deaf representation in film and television. From Netflix crime thrillers to award-winning international cinema, deaf actors and actresses are commanding the screen in roles that showcase their full range—not just as “deaf characters,” but as complex, multi-dimensional humans.
🔥 TROY KOTSUR – “Black Rabbit” (Netflix, 2025)
The Oscar Winner Returns as a Deaf Mobster
Fresh off his historic 2022 Oscar win for CODA, Troy Kotsur returned in 2025 with his most unexpected role yet: Joe Mancuso, a ruthless deaf mob boss in Netflix’s crime thriller Black Rabbit.
Why It Matters:
First deaf mobster in mainstream TV – “I’m sure folks in the audience have really never seen a mobster who happens to be deaf,” Kotsur told People.
Co-starring alongside Jude Law and Jason Bateman
Uses ASL with his criminal associates in tense, high-stakes scenes
Released September 18, 2025 on Netflix
In his own words:“It was really fun for me to develop this character, a fresh take and a new perspective. It will open up new roles in the future, I hope. We’re not just actors who use sign language, we’re characters and we can play all different types of characters.”
Spanish deaf actress Miriam Garlo delivered what critics are calling the performance of the year in Eva Libertad’s Deaf (Sorda), a deeply personal film about a deaf woman navigating motherhood.
The Achievement:
Won the Panorama Audience Award at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (February 2025)
Shortlisted as Spain’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards
7.4 IMDb rating – Critics praised it as surpassing CODA in emotional depth
Premiered in Spanish theaters April 4, 2025
The Story: Ángela (Garlo) is a deaf pottery artist expecting a baby with her hearing partner, Héctor (Álvaro Cervantes). The film intimately explores her fears about connecting with a hearing daughter in a world that refuses to accommodate her needs.
Why It Resonates:
Semi-autobiographical – Based on the real fears of Garlo and her director sister Eva Libertad
Filmed in Spanish and Spanish Sign Language
Critics call it “profoundly nuanced” and “a revelatory performance”
Critical Acclaim:
Screen International: “Authentically explores the challenges faced by deaf individuals in a hearing world”
Cinemanía: 5 out of 5 stars – “A film about the terrible, deep and secret fears that come with motherhood”
Journey Into Cinema: “Deaf completely outshines the sentimental CODA by keeping the focus where it belongs: on Ángela”
📽️ SUNDANCE 2025 – DEAF DOCUMENTARIES
January 23 – February 2, 2025
Two groundbreaking deaf-directed documentaries premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival:
1. “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore”
Directed by Shoshannah Stern (herself a deaf actress from This Close)
Chronicles Marlee Matlin’s journey from the first deaf Oscar winner (1987) to today’s advocacy work
Explores her 40-year career breaking barriers in Hollywood
2. “Deaf President Now!”
Directed by Nyle DiMarco (America’s Next Top Model winner, Dancing with the Stars champion)
Documents the historic 1988 Gallaudet University protest
Features Troy Kotsur, who was a student protester at Gallaudet during the actual movement
Coming to Apple TV+ in 2026
💡 WHY 2025 IS DIFFERENT
Authentic Casting = Authentic Stories
All three major 2025 projects feature actual deaf actors in deaf roles
Directors actively consulted deaf communities
ASL used naturally, not as exposition
Beyond “The Deaf Character”
Kotsur plays a mobster who happens to be deaf
Garlo’s character wrestles with universal maternal fears amplified by societal barriers
These aren’t “inspiration porn” – they’re complex human dramas
Global Recognition
Spanish film winning at Berlinale proves deaf stories transcend language
Hollywood A-listers (Law, Bateman) sharing screen space with deaf actors as equals
Major streaming platforms investing in deaf-led productions
https://www.neohear.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Deaf-Actors-Breakthrough-2025.png900900geelearnhttps://www.neohear.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/hearosLogoRound.pnggeelearn2025-12-11 07:49:002025-12-12 04:57:18Deaf Actors&Actresses Breakthrough 2025: Performances That Made History
The holiday-to-New-Year season is PACKED with incredible events for our community! From cozy coffee chats to major theater productions, here’s everything you need to know about staying connected through the festive season! ✨
🎄 MID-DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS:
📅 December 13:
🎭 A Christmas Carol (50th Anniversary!) 📍 Union Arts Center, Seattle, WA ⏰ 2:00 PM 🎟️ Use promo code ASL to unlock seating in ASL section 👻 Ebenezer Scrooge + Three Ghosts + Fully Accessible = MAGIC!
📅 December 31 – NEW YEAR’S EVE 🎊 Times Square Ball Drop – ACCESSIBLE! 📍 Times Square, Manhattan, NY ⏰ 6:00 PM onwards ✨ World-famous celebration with accessibility features! 🎇 Join millions as we countdown to 2026! 🌐 FREE Webcast with ASL Interpretation: https://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye-live-webcast 📺 YouTube with Open Captions + ASL (link posted in December) ♿ Accessible Viewing Area: 44th Street & Broadway (entrance at 44th & 6th Ave)
📅 January 24, 2026 🎭 “The Loudest Man on Earth” 📍 Deaf Spotlight, Seattle, WA ⏰ 4:00 PM 📖 Written by Catherine Rush | Directed by Adrienne Mackey 🎬 Original Deaf theater at its finest! 📧 Contact: info@deafspotlight.org for tickets 🌐 https://www.deafspotlight.org/events
📅 January 29 – February 2, 2026 ⭐ 🎓 ACE-DHH Conference 2026 📍 Denver, CO (Note: Dates are tentatively January 28-31) 🌟 Theme: “Fostering Non-oppressive Learning Environments” 👥 For educators, parents & professionals in Deaf education 🔥 This is THE conference for Deaf education professionals! 📚 Workshops • Networking • Latest research & best practices 🌐 https://acedhh.com 📧 pub.acedhh@gmail.com
✅ Connection – Combat winter isolation! These events keep our community STRONG ✅ Culture – Celebrate our heritage and traditions together ✅ Support – Whether it’s recovery, education, or just friendship ✅ Joy – Because the holidays should be accessible for EVERYONE ✅ Advocacy – Many events promote awareness and inclusion
💡 PLANNING TIPS FOR EVENT-GOERS:
🎯 Book early – Holiday events fill up FAST! 📱 Check accessibility – Most provide ASL/CART, but always confirm 🎁 Bring friends – Many events are more fun with your crew 📸 Document & share – Help others discover these amazing opportunities 🗓️ Mark your calendar – Set reminders so you don’t miss out!
🎊 LOCAL MEETUPS CONTINUE!
Don’t forget about ongoing events through this period:
☕ Weekly ASL Coffee Chats – Check your local Deaf community centers 🍽️ Silent Dinners – Perfect for meeting new friends 🎮 Game Nights – At various Deaf centers nationwide ⛪ Weekly ASL Masses – St. Francis Xavier, NYC (Sundays 11:30 AM) 📺 Streamed with ASL: SFX Church NYC YouTube Channel
Let’s make December 2025 – January 2026 a season of CONNECTION, CELEBRATION, and COMMUNITY! 🌟
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