Sign : An Animation Short

Synopsis:

In a small, nondescript high school, a new student arrives. As the students bustle around talkatively, the teacher quiets them down to introduce the new arrival. His name is Sam, and he is deaf. 

Artist Statement:

This animation short, follows Sam, a deaf student as he is mainstreamed into a new school, revealing the challenges he faces trying to make new friends. This is particularly difficult because those friends have never met someone like Sam and don't know ASL. Explore the anxieties, heartbreaks, and friendships Sam experiences in Sign.

The concept behind Sign started back in early high school. I wanted to make a completely silent animation with ASL being the only form of dialogue on screen. The idea was to make a film that deaf people could easily access, but hearing folks would have a harder time experiencing, since they would need to read subtitles, simulating the discomfort that deaf people may feel in the hearing world. As I started molding this idea this past year, I decided that sound could actually play an important part to those who are of hearing, to express to them the challenges and obstacles of being deaf. Sign also shows how a small gesture can go a long way to show someone they are important and matter to you. Being disabled myself, it was important to me to create a piece to express how just one kind gesture of showing that someone has made to understand you, makes you feel welcomed, safe, and loved.

Watch the full video here: Sign on Vimeo

Awards and Recognition:

Awards:

“Best Indie Filmmaker” - New York Film Awards

“Best Inspirational Film” - Vegas Movie Awards

“Best Animation” - Vegas Movie Awards

“Best Student Film” - Vegas Movie Awards

“Honorable Mention: Best Animation” - Independent Shorts Awards

“Honorable Mention: Original Story” - Top Shorts

“Honorable Mention: Animation” - Festigious Los Angeles

“Honorable Mention” - Global Shorts

Recognition:

Finalist: Indie Short Fest

Semi Finalist: Los Angeles Film Awards, Sweden Film Awards

Selected: New Faces New Voices, Rome Independent Prisma Awards, Culture & Diversity Film Festival, Breaking Down Barriers, Portland Film Festival

Progress Work

Storyboard