ID: a banner with white wall with black brushstroke and Deaf Spotlight logo in the middle.
Mission: Deaf Spotlight inspires and showcases Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through the arts.
Vision: Deaf Spotlight illuminates the artist within every Deaf person.
ID: Flyer with “Tickets & Passes Available!” on an illustration showing octopus appendages in space with an astronaut orbiting a planet in the background. Popcorn kernels fly around. Text underneath title: “Seattle Deaf Film Festival. April 10-12, 2026. Northwest Film Forum. Streaming: April 13-26, 2026.”
SEATTLE DEAF FILM FESTIVAL PASSES ON SALE NOW!
Seattle Deaf Film Festival is excited to curate 38 films from 12 countries this April.
Festival passes are on sale now! There are three different types of experiences for you to enjoy our festival:
IN PERSON (April 10-12, 2026) at Northwest Film Forum, Seattle, WA
HYBRID (April 10-26, 2026) for both in person and virtual experiences.
VIRTUAL (April 13-26, 2026) from the comforts of your home!
ID: Flyer for “Fireside Chat with SIREN Director”, with an illustrated image showing an octopus’ appendages on the bottom. Popcorn kernels dot the image. Text under title: “Friday, April 10.” Cutout photo of Irene Taylor on the right side, with her name in text on the left side.
Film Screening & Interview SIREN: The Voices of Shelley Beattie
Come and see Irene Taylor, SIREN Filmmaker in person on Friday, April 10th evening for the film screening and one-on-one interview with our festival director, MJ Kiego! Many thanks to HBO Documentary Films for the special screening opportunity!
Taylor is a CODA, an Oscar-nominated, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker. Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements (Mountainfilm 2019) is her second documentary memoir, following Hear and Now, which won the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award as well as a Peabody. Both films portray her immediate family members — tenderly and unflinchingly — and examine their varied experiences with deafness, mortality and beyond.
Details: Friday, April 10 from 7-8:30 PM @ NWFF
Interview & Opening Night Reception to follow
ID: Flyer for “Family Ties Panel”, with an illustrated image showing an octopus’ appendages on the bottom. Popcorn kernels dot the image. Text under title: “Saturday, April 11.” Three cutout photos in a row: Douglas Ridloff, Leah Egan, and Adam Membrey. Name tags below each photo.
FAMILY TIES Film Screening & Panel
New update! Family Ties program will have a post screening panel in person featuring Douglas Ridloff (Idle Hands), Leah Egan (I See a Voice), and Adam Membrey (Idle Hands). Andrea Passafiume, our Festival programmer will facilitate the questions. Come and see their thoughts and processes of making their films.
Douglas Ridloff is a producer, director, and ASL consultant championing authentic Deaf representation in film and television. His award-winning short Idle Hands earned Best Director at Clin d’Oeil. He has worked on major projects including A Quiet Place, Marvel’s Eternals, Hawkeye, and Echo, and currently serves as a consulting producer on a Netflix series.
Leah Egan is an Award-winning Actor-Director & Filmmaker from Ireland. With 14 years experience under her belt she has worked extensively across Ireland, the UK & Canada. Leah's début short film won the Westmeath Film Award in 2024. She is Founder & Artistic Director of her own production house in Ireland, Spinster Production.
Adam Membrey is a teacher, writer, husband, and father living in Austin, TX. He is the writer of IDLE HANDS and hopefully many more future projects.
Details: Saturday, April 11 from12:30 PM to 2 PM @ NWFF
ID: Flyer for “Fireside Chat with PASSENGERS Director”, with an illustrated image showing an octopus’ appendages on the bottom. Popcorn kernels dot the image. Text under title: “Sunday, April 12.” Cutout photo of Dickie Hearts on the right side, with his name in text on the left side.
Film Screening & Interview: PASSENGERS
Dickie Drew Hearts,director of PASSENGERS, will be in town for their one-on-one interview with Phelan Conheady on Sunday, April 12th. Please join us!
Hearts is an award-winning Deaf, LGBTQ+ actor and director pushing Deaf authenticity & ASL representation onscreen. Creator of the romantic comedy pilot Passengers, he’s earned wins at Easterseals, Project Greenlight, and AT&T Create-A-Thon, appeared on Netflix and HBO, and received an Obie Award for Dark Disabled Stories.
Details: Sunday, April 12 at 3 PM @ NWFF
Interview & Closing Night Reception to follow
ID: Flyer for “Essential Tips for Sustainability with Monica Foletta”, with an abstract illustration showing a hand supported by a stack of gears using a row of columns as seeping stones towards a circle. Text below title: “Sunday April 19, 1-3 PM PST, Zoom. Workshop fee: $25. Register by 4/15/26. DeafSpotlight.org . The logos for Deaf Spotlight and Art & Design are on bottom right corner around a scannable QR code.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
This workshop explores how to create work that truly resonates with your community; while learning how to challenge and refine your ideas so they can grow into meaningful demand. We’ll discuss how knowledge becomes a powerful tool to protect and sustain your creative vision. helping you understand what aligns with your values, what doesn’t, and how to honor your work in evolving spaces, including conversations around artists and AI.
Instructor bio: Hula Bella is an international professional Deaf Hula Hooper and Fire Dance Performer from Los Angeles. She has been in flow arts for 15 years and is a certified Hoop Flow Dance instructor. She runs her own Deaf Wear Apparel business where it's all about Deafness and Halloween! Hula Bella is a host of ASL SK8 DAY & DEAFoWEEN!
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 1 to 3 PM PST / 4 - 6 PM EST
Format: Virtual via Zoom
Price: $25
This event will be in ASL only.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 17, 2026
SPACE LIMITED TO 15 PEOPLE
All novice and experienced artists are welcome!
This workshop is for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists. Thank you for your understanding.
For access requests, please email access@deafspotlight.org with your specific needs at least 2 weeks in advance before the event date.
ID: Flyer for “Virtual Grant Writing Workshop” with purple and white text on a purple background, with illustrations of pencils peeking out on the right side. Text below: “For Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing Artists. Saturday, May 16, 2026. 10AM-12PM; 1PM-3PM EST. FREE!” Logos for Urban Jazz Dance Company and Deaf Spotlight on the bottom, with a scannable QR code on the bottom right corner.
Virtual Grant Writing Workshop with Urban Jazz Dance Company
Come learn how to write a project grant to elevate your arts! This FREE workshop is intended for those who are new to grant writing. Antoine Hunter and Zahna Simon of Urban Jazz Dance Company will share their experiences and tips!
The workshop is provided for everybody who identifies as Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and any other Deaf identities. The workshop will focus on discussing types of grants, what you will need to begin and prepare your grant writing, and your grant questions.
3 Focuses:
Discussing what grants are out there, deadlines, etcetera.
What you need to begin and prepare for your art project grants (individual artist).
Your grant questions
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
RSVP Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: 10 AM - 12 PM PST / 1 - 3 PM EST
Location: Zoom
Event Hosts: Urban Jazz Dance Company and Deaf Spotlight
Access: The workshop will be interpreted in American Sign Language. If you need other access, please email Access@DeafSpotlight.org.
All novice and experienced artists are welcome!
This workshop is for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists. Thank you for your understanding.
For access requests, please email access@deafspotlight.org with your specific needs at least 2 weeks in advance before the event date.
Zahna Simon: A San Francisco native and Deaf from birth, Ms. Zahna is a professional dancer, chemist, avid health nutritionist, researcher and Deaf advocate. Ms. Zahna is the Assistant Director for Urban Jazz Dance Company and the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival and a full time office manager at a Professional Fiduciary Office. She has been featured in KPBS TV, CBS Bay Sunday, Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine and Ikouii Creative’s Book, IN THE STUDIO, published on Stance on Dance and was a Deaf Editor for Sins Invalid Disability Justice Primer.
Follow Zahna @deafenpointe.
Antoine Hunter: Bay Area native, Antoine Hunter also known as Purple Fire Crow is an award-winning Internationally-known African-American, Indigenous, Deaf, Disabled, choreographer, dancer, actor, instructor, speaker, Producer and Deaf advocate. He creates opportunities for Disabled, Deaf, and hearing artists and produces Deaf-friendly events, and founded the Urban Jazz Dance Company and Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival.
Follow Antoine @thegreatdancerah.
ID: Flyer for “Storytelling Through Branding & Marketing with Ta-Da Studios”, with an infographic showing a collage of marketing icons with a hand coming out of an envelope below the collage. Subtitle above the title: “Creative Professional Development Workshop Series.” Subtitle under title: “Sunday, May 17, 1-3 PM PST, Zoom”. Text on bottom: “Workshop fee: $25. Register by 5/15/26. DeafSpotlight.org”. Logos for Art & Design and Deaf Spotlight on the bottom, along with a scannable QR code on bottom left.
Storytelling through Branding & Marketing with Ta-Da Studios
As a creative agency, we have seen clients face the challenge of marketing and branding themselves and their companies or organizations. At the end of the day, branding and marketing is simply storytelling. Through our interactive workshop, learn and analyze various approaches to brands. Consider how your brand, ranging from logo, color palette, online presence, and digital and physical marketing, can all work together to reinforce your goals and messaging. Take steps towards your vision and empower yourself to make smart and calculated decisions that bring you closer to your audience and key partnerships!
The workshop will be led by Nikoyla and Eric, Co-Founders of Ta-Da Studios, that supporting with marketing strategies for Deaf Art Communities. This workshop will cover how to start up business an artist, and things to need to know before you start up your own art business.
When: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 1 to 3 PM PST / 4 - 6 PM EST
Format: Zoom
Workshop fee: $25
Registration deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026
SPACE LIMITED TO 15 PEOPLE
All novice and experienced artists are welcome!
This workshop is for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists. Thank you for your understanding.
For access requests, please email access@deafspotlight.org with your specific needs at least 2 weeks in advance before the event date.
ID: Deaf Arts Directory announcement. Patty Liang, Deaf Spotlight Executive Director, in front of a blue background. Patty, a Chinese American woman with dark hair wearing eyeglasses and a dark shirt with white shirt underneath.
DeafArtsDirectory.com is LIVE!
If you are an:
Artist who is Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing
Disability-led Business or Organization that serves and supports Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of hearing artists and their work
Then you are eligible and welcome to participate in the Art Directory!
Deaf Arts Directory is currently maintained by Deaf Spotlight with many thanks to @HowlRound’s Deaf Theater Action Planning, @BlackDisabledCreatives, B.Hawbaker, volunteers and supporters for the push.
ID: Infographic with rows of colorful blocks with text inside. Across the top is a purple and pink banner with the Deaf Spotlight logo on the left side, “Inspiring and showcasing Deaf culture and Sign Languages through the arts”. Below, “2026 Events”. Text inside the blocks, from top to bottom: Taxes & Finance Planning Workshop March 22; Seattle Deaf Film Festival - IN PERSON, April 10-12; Seattle Deaf Film Festival - STREAMING, April 13-26; Art & Design Workshop, April 19; Grant Writing Workshop, May 16; Art & Design Workshop, May 17; Youth Theater & ADWAS Camp, Summer 2026; Nature Art Walk, July 11; Nature Art Walk, Sept 19; Art & Design Workshop, Sept 27; Deaf Lit Festival, Oct 9-11; Halloween Party, Oct 25; BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant, Nov 2026; Subject to change. Please check our website for updates (QR code block).” Text across the pink & purple bottom: For updates & information: DeafSpotlight.org , info@deafspotlight.org .
Check out our 2026 events!
Mark your calendar! Seattle Deaf Film Festival is coming back for the 8th time! Fun professional development workshops to elevate your creative career and skills! Who will be featured at the Deaf Lit Fest this year? Come find out. Get ready for Halloween Party! Amazing opportunities for BIPOC Deaf artists!
Check out our upcoming events for dates on the flyer. See you at the next event.
ID: Flyer for “Free Community Passes”, stylized as yellow ticket stubs with a light blue background with text inside the stub. Further text below: “To Seattle Art Museum or Seattle Asian Art Museum for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing members! Tinyurl.com/SAM-DS2026”. Logos for the Seattle Art Museum and Deaf Spotlight on the bottom.
Free Seattle Art Museum / Seattle Asian Art Museum tickets to Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing community members!
Back for 4th year, Deaf Spotlight will distribute FREE museum passes to Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing community members through the Seattle Art Museum Community Pass Program.
Please fill out the form with your name, your mailing address, and how many passes you would like to get. Each person can get up to 2 community passes. Each community pass will give you 6 tickets each. Your passes must be redeemed by the end of year 2026.
The passes can be redeemed at either locations: Seattle Art Museum (Downtown) OR Seattle Asian Art Museum (Volunteer Park) during regular hours.
Many handwaves to Seattle Art Museum’s Community Pass Program for making this accessible for all!
ID: a light blue banner with 2025 BIPOC Deaf Arts recipients, with photographs of the four recipients in a row on top of colorful half-circles, with a name attached to each photo. From left to right: Daniel Katz-Herandez, Felicia B. Kohls, Kami Padden, and Rydrea Walker.
Handwaves to the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant Recipients 2025
Deaf Spotlight is excited to announce the 2025 recipients of the BIPOC Deaf Arts Grant! From 29 applicants, we narrowed it to 4 best candidates based on the strength and diversity of their portfolios, clarity of their plans/goals and potential momentum to push their work forward with our funding.
The recipients are:
Daniel Katz-Hernandez | Visual Arts
Felicia B. Kohls | Literary Arts
Kami Padden | Visual Arts
Rydrea Walker | Media Arts
We’re thrilled to continue this grant to support the next group of emerging and experienced BIPOC Deaf artists. Handwaves! We can’t wait to see what they create with this grant.
PURPOSE
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.
Deaf Spotlight’s mission is to inspire and showcase Deaf Culture and Sign Languages through the arts. The Deaf Arts Grant will make a crucial difference for BIPOC Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing artists to thrive in the challenging arts field.
To sign up for grant updates and opportunities, please email BIPOCDeafArtsGrant@deafspotlight.org.
ID: Deaf Spotlight Annual report: 13 pages with a mixture of text and graphic illustrations in multiple colors in vertical view. The title page has a white background with two rectangular columns on a slant in three colors: orange, blue and dark blue. Top one extends from middle-right to top left corner. The second one starts in the lower right corner to middle of the bottom half. Deaf Spotlight logo in against a blue square in upper right corner. On same column, orange rectangle with black text “Annual Report” Underneath orange is dark blue square with white text “20.” On second column, orange square with white text: “24.
Read our Annual Report 2024!
