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Program
Oh girl, it hurts
GOJYUBI．‐finger kanamoji‐
Andi does it!
Rite of Identity
The Search of Self and Silence
MINT
Interpretation
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
86 min
Presentation Languages: Japanese Sign Language, International Sign Interpretation/Subtitles: International Sign, Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (Spoken/Text), English (Text)
Screening Time
Sat, Nov 8, 4:30 PM followed by post-screening talk with the director
Screening Location
ZA-KOENJI | ZA-KOENJI ２
Admission
Adult ¥1,000　Child ¥500
Tickets sales begin at Sat, Aug 16, 10AM
 
"Oh girl, it hurts"
Director: Pernille Vogt
Cast: Belinda Stoe, Mindy Drapsa, Fie Sennels
2024 | Norway | Drama | 17 min | Asia Premiere
Language. Norwegian Sign Language
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Coming to terms with being queer isn’t always easy. Therese finds this out the day she meets Alex. As she dares to open her heart to another woman for the first time, she’s faced with an unexpected obstacle—her own sister. At Festival Film'Ô Toulouse in June 2025, the film was awarded best actress, best cinematography and best foreign film.
"GOJYUBI．‐finger kanamoji‐"
Director: Kazumi Sano
Cast: Yuji Gima, Yumi Matsuyama, Miyuki Koyama, Masataka Oota, Miho Sano, Seiya Ito, Emi Iino, Tetsuro Tagami, Kou-chan, Mone Hirashima
2025 | Japan | Experimental | 8 min | Silent | World Premiere
Language: Japanese Sign Language (Fingerspelling)
This experimental film showcases 10 Deaf individuals expressing Japanese fingerspelling, a system distinct from natural sign language. It explores the significance of fingerspelling to Deaf people today, inviting viewers to visually perceive the "fifty fingers" of contemporary Deaf individuals.
"Andi does it!"
Director: Christoph Kopal
Cast: Manfred Schutz, Angelika Lepper, Brato Avramovic
2023 | Austria | Comedy | 11 min | Asia Premiere
Language: Austrian Sign Language
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Andi presents his new navigation app in sign language with his low-budget team in front of the camera. Conflict arises between Andi and the production manager right from the first shots. It remains uncertain whether Andi can endure his problems until the end. The film is recognized with accolades including the 2024 Paris Film Awards (Gold, experimental category) and the 2024 London Movie Awards (Silver, comedy category).Best Actor 2025 Manfred Schutz (Film-O Deaf Festival Toulouse)
"Rite of Identity"
Director: Youmee Lee
2022 | USA | Animation | 4 min | Japan Premiere
Language: American Sign Language
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Rite of Identity is a 2D animated film about a deaf child who has exceptional artistic talent but struggles with an overwhelming soundscape. The film is recognized with accolades including the 1904 Film Festival for Best Narrative Short Film Award and the Palm Springs Animation Festival, Los Angeles for Academy of Dreams Award.
"The Search of Self and Silence"
Director: Giuliano Robert
Cast: Marcia Cristina Robert
2021 | Brazil | Documentary | 20 min | Asia Premiere
Languages: Brazilian Sign Language
Subtitles: Japanese, English
Misunderstandings in communication can emerge through different ways, whether by conflict, language, or culture. In Giuliano Robert’s film, this occurs through the interference of speech—a hearing mother describes the beginning of a communication process with her deaf son. Based on the mother’s experiences, Márcia, the documentary is conducted by her son, Giuliano, in search of a connection with a culture which, through lack of information and access, silences other modes of communication. Awarded Best Film by the Official Jury and Best Film Award by the Audience Jury at the Samaúma Showcase of CineAlter – Alter do Chão Latin American Film Festival.
"MINT"
Director: Tomasz Grabowski
2025 | Poland | Experimental | 18 min | Silent | World Premiere
Language: Polish Sign Language
Subtitles: Japanese, English
“MINT” is a meditative journey through the inner worlds of several Deaf characters, connected by shared memories, dreams, and sign language. In still frames and poetic gestures, the film explores the body as story, silence as atmosphere, and sign as pure expression invite us into a world where language breathes through movement, not sound.
"Interpretation"
Director: MJ Kiego
Cast: Emily Catalfamo, Alivia E. Cotton, Kay Harry
2023 | France | Drama | 8 min | Asia Premiere
Language: American Sign Language
Subtitles: Japanese, English
It’s the first day of classes, and an ASL interpreter realizes that it will be a painful semester interpreting for a myopic professor and a cocky student.
Caution
Viewer discretion is advised for the following works:
"Andi does it!" contains scenes with sexual content.
"Oh girl, it hurts" contains themes of homophobia and racism.
Regarding the 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
Pernille Vogt
Pernille Vogt is a Deaf, female and queer filmmaker. She wants to highlight stories that matter.
Kazumi Sano
Kazumi Sano appeared in the 2016 film "LISTEN". Currently, they are actively sharing "Naze Naze Po" content on social media, focusing on Deaf culture. In 2024, they directed, wrote, and edited the short film "Look." as part of a Deaf filmmaker training program. This marks their first submission to a film festival.
 
*Please note that screening information may be subject to change.
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