ID: A blue starry background, with text on right: “FAQ” and a pink & orange tentacles on left with several popcorns floating around.
General FAQ
What is Seattle Deaf Film Festival?
Seattle Deaf Film Festival (SDFF) is a biennial program under Deaf Spotlight for the 7th time. SDFF will feature short and feature films about and by Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing filmmakers. We will feature 44 films from 11 countries in sign language with English subtitles.
In person: April 10-12, 2026
Virtual: April 13-26, 2026
Can we buy tickets / passes now?
Tickets are available now! Please visit our ticketing platform to purchase program tickets.
For in person tickets, each program will close their online ticket sales 24 hours before the event time.
Yes, we will sell tickets and passes at the door after the online sales end!
For virtual ticketsand virtual passes, they will be on sale until Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Are there CEUs opportunities for interpreters to earn during the festival?
Yes, we are offering CEUs through the HSDC Continued Education Program (HSDC-CEP). You can find more details here.
Watch one, some or all film programs and answer 3 reflective questions for each film program.
Step 1: Review film program options here
Step 2: Purchase your SDFF tickets for selected programs /passes for all 9 film programs ASAP
Step 3: Register through HSDC Continued Education Program and pay $35
Step 4: Get an Independent Study Application via email
Step 5: Fill out and submit the application to HSDC-CEP BEFORE April 10th
Step 6: ENJOY THE FILMS!
Step 7: Answer the questions for each program and submit to HSDC-CEP afterwards.
Questions? Email CEU@HSDC.org
Will the festival be virtual, in-person, or hybrid format?
SDFF will be in a hybrid format. In person will occur from April 10-12, 2026 at the Northwest Film Forum. After in person experience concludes, the festival will be streamed from April 13-26, 2026 for 2 weeks.
What are Content Warnings?
Content warnings are notices of potentially triggering or sensitive content for audiences. As many of our films have not been rated by a ratings board, we have identified what we believe to be the most common triggers for sensitive viewers. However, we understand that triggers are often personal and can vary widely. While our content warnings can serve as a guide, please use discretion when choosing films to watch from our festival program.
Will SDFF give awards to the best films?
Yes! We will give awards to the best films based on these formats: short narrative, feature narrative, short documentary and feature documentary, based on your votes. You will have an opportunity to vote right after each film program ends. You will need to use your smart phone to scan a QR code to a specific program link to vote.
We will announce the winners on the SDFF front page after both physical and virtual formats conclude (May 2026).
What if I want to buy SDFF swag?
You can go to our online shop to browse and purchase! Thank you for your support in advance!
Can I help support SDFF?
Yes, you can!
Promote the festival with your family and friends
Consider a donation to Deaf Spotlight.
What if I have an access need? Who can I reach out to?
All films will be subtitled in English for both spoken and signed dialogue. Please request your access needs at least two weeks before April 5th to access@deafspotlight.org. We will try our best to accommodate.
What if I have a question that is not covered in this FAQ?
Email sdff@deafspotlight.org and we will get back to you.
I would like to share my feedback, who should I contact?
Please do share your thoughts with us by emailing sdff@deafspotlight.org.
IN-PERSON FAQ
How to prepare for the in-person festival?
The Seattle Deaf Film Festival will be at Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122)
If you have purchased your pass or ticket in advance, please go to the WILL CALL booth in the lobby area to check in on the day of.
We will sell in person passes and tickets at the door. Credit card and cash accepted.
Please show up a bit earlier due to parking.
The theaters will be open half hour before the screening time.
No filming/photography during screenings.
The film screenings will start on time. No late admissions.
Where can we park?
We highly encourage you to take public transportation. We are near public bus lines and Light Rail Station: Capitol Hill.
Carpooling is highly encouraged! Paid street parking is available in 2 hours/ 4 hours format and will be free after 6 PM in some areas. Sunday is free.
Parking lots are available nearby at Seattle Central College on Harvard, Diamond Parking Services, and private lots. Park at your own risk.
Where can we eat and drink nearby?
There are fantastic options: cafes, restaurants, bars, and more in walking distance! Yelp is a great resource!
VIRTUAL FESTIVAL FAQ
How to prepare for the virtual festival?
The Seattle Deaf Film Festival will be streamed on Eventive / Virtual Festival.
Each program is at least 1 hour or longer.
There are 9 programs in the festival.
When you start a program, you have 72 hours to view it.
Feature film: SIREN will be 48 hours at this time due to the distributor’s restrictions. Thank you for your understanding in advance.
Purchase options:
Buy a pass to view all films
Buy individual programs to see specific films, or
Buy a pass to view Shorts only.
What if I want to see some specific programs, not the whole festival?
You can! You can purchase specific programs on Eventive. Please review the film programs to get a better idea which programs you would like to watch virtually.
How can I view the films?
After buying your pass or ticket, the films can be viewed on Eventive.
Films can be viewed on a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphones, and/or television. Visit the Eventive Help page for more information.
Does videos have captions?
Yes! There are three films: Cleaned Out, Medal Chase and Talk will have captions for you to turn on.
Just turn on the captions in the video player. Look for the cogwheel icon at the bottom right corner. Click on Subtitles and select "English." Some are burnt in captions.
Who do I contact if I have technical issues with viewing the films online?
Visit the Eventive Help page and click on “Launch Live Chat Support” to chat with Eventive technical support.
Can I come back and watch more than once?
After you start a program, you have a limited amount of time to finish watching it or rewatch it.
If you start a feature film, you will have 72 hours to finish watching the film.
Exception: SIREN will be 48 hours long at this time due to the distributor restrictions. Thank you for your understanding!
If you start a short film program, you will have 72 hours to finish watching the program.
How does my Virtual Pass work?
A Virtual Festival pass is automatically linked to your account on Eventive (our ticketing system), and may be redeemed to view any film or program in the Virtual Festival.
With a pass, you must still select the Purchase Film button for each film you intend to watch. Because you will be signed into your account linked to your pass, you will not be charged for individual films. Your account on Eventive will update to indicate that you have now applied your pass to this film. Any time you purchase an individual program, you will receive a confirmation email from Eventive.
If you pre-order a film before the Virtual Festival begins or before a particular film’s availability window, you will receive another email from Eventive once that film’s availability window arrives. Your watch window begins on the first day the film is available, and the amount of time you have remaining to press play for that particular film will appear on a counter on that film’s page. Once you press play, you will have 72 hours to complete the screening.
If you purchase a film during the Virtual Festival within a film’s availability window, you will receive an email from Eventive. Your watch window will begin immediately and the amount of time you have remaining to press play for that particular film will appear on a counter on that film’s page. Once you press play, you will have 72 hours to complete the screening. Siren program is only 48 hours. Thank you for your understanding.
There are no refunds on pass purchases. However, tickets redeemed with a pass can be exchanged for another within one day of purchase.