Durban deaf and blind creatives break barriers through film

IN a powerful celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, the Durban branch of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society (KZN BDS) hosted a one-day filmmaking workshop aimed at empowering its clients with creative skills. The session, led by the Durban 48 Hour Film Project, saw 30 deaf and blind people create their own short films using mobile phones on Thursday, September 17. The budding filmmakers were guided by Cinatemba Mthati of Scara Green Films, a deaf filmmaker who has successfully written, directed and screened a short film as part of the Durban 48 Hour Film Project for the past three consecutive years. Mthati worked alongside Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal, City Producer for the Durban 48 Hour Film Project, who explained the range of careers available in the film industry beyond acting to those attending the session. “It was a fun day of celebration and learning. I went in as a facilitator, but I walked out as a student,” said Sadapal. Also Read: Miss Deaf SA finalist has big dreams A highlight of the day was seeing the groups produce their own work and tell their stories through film. Impressed by the talent and skills displayed, Sadapal said, “One of the lessons they taught me was, don’t try to be normal or fit in. Normal is scary. They don’t want to be seen as ‘normal’, they want to be seen for their extraordinary vision. True art doesn’t need sound to be heard.” The workshop also served as an official audition call for an upcoming National Film and Video Foundation inclusive short film, The Night Watcher, which is seeking to cast a deaf actress in the lead role. As the organisation celebrates Deaf Awareness Month, the organisers say the workshop is just the beginning, with the Durban 48 Hour Film Project and KZN Blind and Deaf Society planning to host further training and development workshops. “This workshop directly addressed that gap by placing tools, skills and screen-time into deaf hands,” said the Society. They added, “We are calling on corporate partners, funders and film industry stakeholders to support long-term skills development for deaf and blind filmmakers in KZN.” For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.