Deaf Spotlight

Deaf Spotlight started from a committee’s desire to set up a Deaf Film Festival in Seattle, WA where people can come together to celebrate Deaf arts and embrace Deaf culture and ASL. Donations, ticketing sales and grants help supporting the ongoing programming. Please join us with BIG handwaves for supporters like you. Every donation counts toward our mission.

Deaf Spotlight inspires and showcases Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through the arts. Our shop offers organic products, T-Shirts, Hoodies & Sweatshirts, Zip Hoodies and Jackets, Long Sleeve Shirts, and Sportswear for men and women. For kids and babies, we provide shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. Additionally, accessories and stickers are also available. 

Programs: 

We believe in supporting original and creative content about, for, and by Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing communities.

Art & Design

Deaf Spotlight hosts group and/or solo art exhibitions, and educational workshops, for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists to participate.

BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant

The Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Deaf Arts Grant is an annual program that provides financial support for emerging and established artists to further advance their careers.

Collaborations

Deaf Spotlight believes and pushes for personal, intersectional and growth. By partnering with diverse organizations and people with different perspectives in order to nurture our community will lead to more accessible and inclusive creativity for all.

In past, Deaf Spotlight collaborated with WSRID to host Deaf Talks, a community event showcasing local members’ stories and thoughts, and participated as a planning committee member for DeafThrive, a family friendly festival that brings the Deaf community together.

During March 2023, Deaf Spotlight hosted LIMITLESS EXPRESSIONS featuring ASL Cabaret performers, Deaf Legends Photography Project, Deaf Author Readings, Visual Vernacular Performances, Dance Performances and dance workshops.

Creative Arts Camp

Deaf Spotlight offers an annual week-long day camp. This camp is for youth ages 8-13 who are Deaf, Hard of hearing, or Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs). Deaf artists will provide a hands-on exploration of a rich variety of artistic mediums in a well-supervised and Deaf-friendly environment. This program is on hold until further notice.

Seattle Deaf Film Festival

Seattle Deaf Film Festival (SDFF) showcases the best Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing filmmaking in the world.

SDFF is one of the biggest Deaf film festivals in the world. We believe in cultivating a vibrant community of emerging and experienced Deaf filmmakers, actors, and producers. Join us to see various short and feature films by members of the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing community.

We will return in April 2024.

Deaf Spotlight Presents

During odd years, Deaf Spotlight will present a theatrical program featuring works written by Deaf playwrights. Deaf Spotlight will hire Deaf directors and Deaf cast to bring the story onto the stage. Not only that, the technical and backstage crew will be hired to support the production.  Deaf Spotlight hosted the third biennial Short Play Festival in Spring 2023 with a theme: Floral Shop. Visit our SPF 2023 page.

Deaf Spotlight held the first biennial Short Play Festival in February 2019 in partnership with ACTLab at the ACT Theatre. Deaf Spotlight held the 2nd Short Play Festival in spring 2021 featuring 6 new stories by Deaf playwrights. In previous years, we produced three full theatrical productions: Broken Spokes, God of Carnage, and SKIN. Explore our archives.