Historic Film Workshop Proves Deaf Talent Belongs Behind and in Front of the Camera

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Through creativity, collaboration, and raw talent, 30 Deaf and blind storytellers took centre stage to prove that true cinema belongs to everyone who has a story to tell.

Durban, South Africa (21 September 2026) – To honour Deaf Awareness Month, 30 deaf and blind participants gathered at the KZN Blind and Deaf Society on Thursday, 17 September 2026, for an inclusive filmmaking workshop to do what they do best: tell powerful stories.

Partnering with the Durban 48 Hour Film Project, the event was built around a simple truth: these participants are artists, creators and visionaries, not just an audience.

Guiding the day was Deaf filmmaker Sinatemba Mtati of Skara Green Films, a seasoned writer and director with three consecutive 48 Hour Film Projects. He shared his craft and passion, fostering an environment where every participant’s unique creative voice could step into the spotlight.

Splitting into teams, two groups wrote, directed, and shot original short films using mobile devices right on the spot. The remaining two teams delivered captivating live performances, including a deeply moving piece crafted by blind participants.

Nerusha Maharaj Sadapal, City Producer for the Durban 48 Hour Film Project, also unpacked the wider ecosystem of careers in film beyond acting, from producing to monetising locations and services.

“It was a fun day of celebration and learning. I went in as a facilitator, but I walked out as a student,” said Maharaj Sadapal.

She revealed that one of the most powerful lessons she gained from the day was not try to be normal or try to fit in.

“Embrace yourself, embrace your disability, and accept who you are. This was echoed in a poem written for the workshop titled, ‘Trying to be Normal Scared Me’. They want to be seen for their extraordinary vision and authentic self.”

Why This Matters

September is Deaf Awareness Month. South African Sign Language (SASL) was officially recognised as South Africa’s 12th official language in July 2023, yet Deaf creatives remain vastly underrepresented in South Africa’s film and television industry.

This workshop directly addressed that gap by placing tools, skills and screen time into Deaf hands.

The event also served as an official audition call for an upcoming National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) inclusive short film, The Night Watcher, written by Mtati and produced by Maharaj Sadapal, which is seeking to cast Deaf talent in lead roles. The film is slated to shoot in Durban.

Looking ahead, organisers say this is just the beginning. The Durban 48 Hour Film Project and KZN Blind and Deaf Society intend to host further training and development workshops and are calling on corporate partners, funders and film industry stakeholders to support long-term skills development for Deaf and Blind filmmakers in KZN.