Waterford Film For All presents Deaf (2025)

Waterford Film For All presents Deaf by director Eva Libertad

Ángela, a deaf woman, and Héctor, her hearing partner, are in a loving, solid relationship, using sign language and lip reading to communicate. When Ángela becomes pregnant they are both very excited. However, the question of whether their baby will be deaf or hearing charges an unexplored tension between the couple.

After a complicated, emotionally intense labour, their daughter, Ona, is born. It is revealed she can hear, forcing Ángela to come to terms with raising a daughter who may not share her experience of the world.

As Ona and Hector gravitate towards each other, communicating with their voices, Angela is left feeling frustrated and isolated.
Eva Libertad’s debut feature is a tender, moving and brilliantly acted drama.

Festivals
Berlin International Film Festival 2025
Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025

Awards
Winner – Panorama Audience Award, Eva Libertad, Berlin International Film Festival 2025

Reviews
“The film authentically explores the challenges faced by deaf individuals in a hearing world without ever feeling patronising or preachy. A low-key crowd pleaser…” – Jonathan Holland, Screen International

“It’s immersive and profoundly effective filmmaking.” – Jared Abbott, Journey into Cinema

“The filmmaker meets the audience most effectively in the film’s stiller moments, where Ángela’s emotive state can be felt through the heaviness of Garlo’s expressions as well as the freedom that breaks through when she feels like herself in a society that often prefers to act like she’s an oddity or invisible and not, simply, a mother, wife and human.” – Olivia Popp, Cineuropa