Program
Idle Hands
Inori
The Silenced
Inori
The Silenced
TIDAF's Film Competition will showcase 14 carefully selected films from a large pool of submissions. Of the 14 films, 12 are directed by Deaf or Hard of Hearing directors, one by a Deaf-Blind director, and one by a CODA. Audience members vote for their favorite films, with awards to be presented at the end of the festival.
Film | Competition Category
61 min
Presentation Languages: Japanese Sign Language, American Sign Language, International Sign
Interpretation/Subtitles: International Sign, Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (Spoken/Text), English (Text)
Presentation Languages: Japanese Sign Language, American Sign Language, International Sign
Interpretation/Subtitles: International Sign, Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (Spoken/Text), English (Text)
Date
Sat, Nov 8, 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM, followed by post-screening talk with the director
Location
ZA-KOENJI | ZA-KOENJI ２
Admission
Adult ¥1,000 Child ¥500
"Idle Hands"
Director: Douglas Ridoff
Cast: Wyatt Ridloff / Beth Schreiber / Joey Caverly
2023 | USA | Human Drama | 21 min | Japan Premiere
Languages: American Sign Language, English
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Cast: Wyatt Ridloff / Beth Schreiber / Joey Caverly
2023 | USA | Human Drama | 21 min | Japan Premiere
Languages: American Sign Language, English
Subtitles: Japanese, English
In the midst of a reluctant visit to his grandmother’s house, a Deaf father must come to terms with a vicious cycle he’s perpetuated towards his son and find a way forward.
Selected for the Deaf Kenya Film Festival (DKFF), Rocky Mountain DEAF Film Festival, and won Best Director at Festival Clin d'Oeil.
"Inori"
Director: Mika Imai
Cast: Leo, Yu Tanabe, Kumi Hyodo
2025 | Japan | Human Drama | 17 min | World Premiere
Languages: Japanese Sign Language, Japanese
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Cast: Leo, Yu Tanabe, Kumi Hyodo
2025 | Japan | Human Drama | 17 min | World Premiere
Languages: Japanese Sign Language, Japanese
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Mao, a 23-year-old Deaf actress, finds her childhood memories stirred by the sensory experiences during acting lessons in Tokyo. She recalls the image of clasping her hands in prayer before a Jizo statue each month with her hearing mother. Returning to her rural hometown after a long absence, Mao's conversations with her mother cause her to navigate between past and present memories, ultimately confronting herself.
"The Silenced"
Director: Julien Bourges
Cast: Claude Gaubert, Phillipe Mathieu, Aurore Morcette, Mickael Rabel, Zohra Regimbeau, Roberto Biedma Rufini
2023 | France | Documentary | 23 min | Japan Premiere
Languages: French Sign Language, French
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Cast: Claude Gaubert, Phillipe Mathieu, Aurore Morcette, Mickael Rabel, Zohra Regimbeau, Roberto Biedma Rufini
2023 | France | Documentary | 23 min | Japan Premiere
Languages: French Sign Language, French
Subtitles: Japanese, English
On April 5, 2021, Mediapart published an article about the mistreatment of deaf children within the deaf school in Asnières, the Gustave Baguer Institute just north of Paris.
In fact, the mistreatment of deaf children in several deaf schools and medico-social services has existed for many years. These six deaf people decided to break their silence to tell their stories.
Caution："The Silenced" addresses themes of abuse which may be distressing for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Regarding Post-Screening Talk
Following the screening, a meet-and-greet session with the film’s director is scheduled.Note: Depending on the film, cast members may also be present
Julien Bourges
Julien Bourges is a Deaf French screenwriter and director of short dramas and documentaries. In 2016, he directed "La Vérité", a feature film exploring Deaf themes that has been screened and widely acclaimed around the world. In 2023, he directed "Alfredo Corrado", a feature-length documentary about a Deaf American artist who left a lasting mark on France in the 1970s. The film has been praised by both audiences and festivals. His films have won several awards, including his short film "Mister Michel", which received the Audience Award at the 3rd Tokyo International Deaf Film Festival.
*Please note that screening information may be subject to change.
