Celebrating 10 Years of Deaf Conversations about Cinema 2016 – 2026
Posted on Mon 18 May
For the past decade, Deaf Conversations About Cinema (DCAC) has brought people together here at Watershed through a shared love of film, conversation and community – and we’re marking the occasion with a special celebratory 10 Years of DCAC event on Sat 6 June.
"It is fundamentally important to feel equally to hearing folks who can enjoy watching films at a time that suits them."
David Ellington, British Sign Language (BSL) user, filmmaker and artist.
DCAC is a monthly film meet up designed for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing customers to watch and discuss cinema together. It began in 2016 as part of Arts Council England South West’s ‘Agent for Change’ programme supporting cultural organisations to develop more inclusive working practices.
Through the scheme, Watershed partnered with Bristol-based British Sign Language (BSL) user, filmmaker and artist David Ellington to explore how we could become more welcoming and accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing members of our community.
What followed was a collaboration that we are incredibly proud to say has shaped Watershed for the last 10 years and to celebrate we invite you to join us on Sat 6 June for an afternoon of films and conversations with David and guests.
Post screening discussion of Hamnet (we are all holding imaginary skulls) - from January's DCAC event.
Since 2016, David has worked with Watershed, helping to develop long-term changes to accessibility and inclusion, from Deaf awareness and BSL training for staff, to improving communications and embedding Descriptive Subtitled screenings more consistently across the cinema programme.
One of the most enduring outcomes of the original partnership was the launch of DCAC in January 2016, which began with a screening of The Danish Girl followed by a post-film discussion in the Café & Bar. Ten years later, DCAC is still here, with people from all walks of life coming together to share their views and experiences.
Since then, we have hosted more than 100 Deaf Conversations About Cinema events. Even during the pandemic, the programme continued online. Alongside the monthly DCAC events, we have continued to build accessibility across the organisation. Today, four team members hold BSL Level 2 qualifications and seven hold BSL Level 1 qualifications, with regular internal practice sessions helping build confidence and communication skills across teams.
David Ellington, host of DCAC, says:
“A foundation of the event 'Deaf Conversations About Cinema' at Watershed, is truly inclusive, accessible and engaging for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people who are able to watch a different array of featured films and documentary films from around the world. They are excited to find out interesting, provoking and debate outcomes from me and our film guests - fans of some well-known film directors such as; Paul Thomas Anderson, Jane Campion, Spike Lee and Pedro Almodòvar. It is fundamentally important to feel equally to hearing folks who can enjoy watching films at a time that suits them.
Before celebrating the 10 Years anniversary, I would like to say many thanks to Dick Penny (Managing Director of Watershed in 2016) and Mark Cosgrove, (Cinema Curator at Watershed) as well as saying thank you to the Arts Council of England, South West, the British Film Institute and the Big Lottery Fund who have support Deaf Conversations about Cinema over these years. Without them, there would be much sadness for the members of the Bristol Deaf community, who love watching all films with inputs of sign language. Accessible films matters to everyone!”
Post screening discussion of the Melodrama, All that Heaven Allows (we are all holding tissues to dry our eyes) - from October 2025 DCAC event.
Louise Gardner, Watershed Director of Audiences, says:
“What a treat it is to be able to celebrate 10 years of running Deaf Conversations about Cinema. We are so grateful to David Ellington, our long-term collaborator and partner, not only has David spent his time and energy working with us over these years but he has also supported us by ensuring we can consistently train our staff in Deaf Awareness and simple BSL to ensure we are a welcoming space for our Deaf audiences. Thank you to all our audiences who have joined us over this decade - you are all brilliant. Here’s to the next 10 years."
David Ellington introduces the sold out Descriptive Subtitled screening of Hamnet and invites everyone to join us in the Café & Bar for the post-screening discussion. January 2026.
Deaf Conversation about Cinema audience member:
“DCAC is important to me because it is based within the Deaf community in Bristol where there is a safe space for the Deaf members who can share and sign at each other. They can talk about the cinema arts with different intents, more valuable in diverse films, not in mainstream with high budget production. More arts quality within different films, not made in Britain or America. I think it is good to see the balanced/choice of films made by British, America, Europe and Asian filmmakers, that really amaze me.”