First Film to Star a DeafBlind Actor; Screening is Free to the Public
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 27, 2024—October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Industries for the Blind will hold a special screening and panel for the Oscar-nominated short film “Feeling Through.” The film will be shown on Tuesday, October 15, at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City (2799 Richmond Hwy., Arlington). The event is free and open to the public. Free registration in available at this link https://cvent.me/em2oZ0.
“Feeling Through” is a 19-minute film produced in 2019 and inspired by a true story. It was nominated for the 2021 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film and has also won “Best Short Film” at film festivals around the world.
Writer/director Doug Roland created the award-winning short film after a late-night encounter with a DeafBlind man on a New York City street. This coming-of-age story is about the unlikely connection between a teen in need (Steven Prescod) and a DeafBlind man (Robert Tarango). Roland knew from the start that he wanted to cast a DeafBlind actor, and he partnered with NIB associated nonprofit agency Helen Keller Services to realize that mission.
“Feeling Through” is the first film in history to feature a DeafBlind actor. Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin served as an executive producer on the film. Along the way, Roland also created the documentary “Connecting the Dots,” which follows the process of casting and working with DeafBlind actor Robert Tarango, who worked in the food services department at the Helen Keller National Center for 20 years.
The film has received rave reviews, awards and accolades from around the world. Audiences have called it an inspirational and emotional masterpiece, and more than a simple feel-good movie.
A panel on the power of collaborative and inclusive storytelling will follow the film showing on October 15 and will include Doug Roland and Sue Ruzenski, the CEO of Hellen Keller Services and a producer for “Feeling Through.” Other panelists include Roberto Cabrera, director of the Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf STEM Academy, and David D’Arcangelo, CEO of Arc Angel Communications and member of the NIB Board of Directors. Dr. Hoby Wedler, host of NIB’s groundbreaking Heard & Empowered podcast, will moderate the panel discussion.
“We are thrilled to be able to show this amazing film within our annual conference,” said Aneta Zawila-Jordan, NIB’s vice president of marketing and communications. “It is a tremendous inspiration to also hear from those who have worked on this film.”
“Feeling Through” is being shown as part of National Industries for the Blind’s annual Empower Training Conference and Expo, which runs from Oct. 14 to 18 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City and will have close to 800 attendees from across the U.S. focused on expanding employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired.
For more information on National Industries for the Blind, visit www.nib.org.
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About National Industries for the Blind
Incorporated in 1938, NIB is the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, and through its network of associated nonprofit agencies, the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S. NIB creates opportunities for people who are blind to become wage earners and taxpayers, reducing their reliance on government support and increasing engagement in their communities. The organization offers career training and assists employers and employees in developing inclusive workplaces. NIB’s vision is that blindness is not a barrier to employment. In 2021, NIB launched a national talent management enterprise known as NSITE. NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind or visually impaired, including veterans. For more information, visit www.nib.org or www.nsite.org.