The initiative by the KwaZulu-Natal Deaf and Blind Society in Durban provided participants who are deaf and blind with the opportunity to engage in film production, act, and explore career prospects in the film industry.
As part of Deaf Awareness Month, organizers and participants of the inclusive film workshop, held by the KwaZulu-Natal Deaf and Blind Society in Central Durban, gathered together. This program allowed deaf and blind participants to learn about the filmmaking process, shoot short films using mobile phones, and discover opportunities within the broader film industry.
On Thursday, September 17th, thirty clients who are deaf and blind participated in the inclusive film workshop in Central Durban at the society's premises on Ismail C Mir Street, in partnership with the Durban 48 Hour Film Project. Instead of being viewers, they took on the roles of cinematographers. This one-day seminar introduced participants to filmmaking skills and career paths while creating chances for authentic representation of deaf and blind people in the industry.
The practical session was led by deaf filmmaker Sinathemba Mtati from Scara Green Films, who has written, directed, and screened a short film under the 48 Hour Project for three consecutive years. This local inclusion initiative reflects a significant evolution in the history of cinema. While early silent films offered natural accessibility through visual pantomime, the advent of synchronized sound in the late 1920s effectively excluded the deaf audience for decades.
Since then, accessibility for both deaf and visually impaired audiences has undergone remarkable changes—moving from viewing without aid and technological exclusion to subtitles, descriptive audio, and immersive multisensory experiences. Today, accessible mobile technologies allow deaf and blind creators to move beyond passive consumption and get directly behind the camera.
During the session in Durban, participants were divided into groups and tasked with creating short films using their mobile phones; two groups successfully wrote, shot, and presented their own stories.
For deaf participant Zanelle Ntsebesha, the workshop was an engaging introduction to acting and advocacy. She shared her impressions: 'I really enjoyed the film workshop. I loved my character, and the instructor helped me enjoy participating. I like raising awareness about acting for the deaf and blind. I hope I can explore acting more.'
Her colleague, deaf participant Mondli Nkana, echoed these sentiments, welcoming the opportunity for creative production. He stated: 'I felt great at the film workshop. I learned a lot about acting, and I really enjoyed participating. It made me feel excited and interested in learning more about filmmaking.'
Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal, city producer for the Durban 48 Hour Film Project, provided information on the wider film industry, describing career opportunities beyond acting, including production and location monetization. She noted: 'It was a fun day of celebration and learning. I came as a facilitator but left as a student,' emphasizing that the participants challenged conventional ideas of inclusivity.
Sadapal added: 'One lesson they taught me is not to try to be normal or fit in. Normalcy is scary. They don't want to be seen because of a disability, but because of their extraordinary vision.'
The workshop also served as a casting platform for the upcoming inclusive short film The Night Watcher, funded by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), which is actively seeking a deaf actress for the lead role. Since South African Sign Language (SASL) is recognized as one of the country's eleven official languages, organizers hope this Durban initiative will create permanent pathways for training and development for creative workers among the deaf and blind throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
