01
Sign Language Poetry
[Traditional]
A poem composed and performed in a signed language, filmed as it is performed.
Length: 1 to 4 minutes
CC
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Submit your film
Six categories, one festival, four days in New York. Entries for 2027 are open on FilmFreeway now. 52 days left to the regular deadline.
How it works
Three steps
01
Pick a category
Choose the one of the six that fits your poem. The categories are below.
02
Make your film
Film the poem the way it should be seen. Lengths, formats and fees are listed on FilmFreeway.
03
Send it on FilmFreeway
All entries go through SRFF's FilmFreeway page. You get a confirmation there.
Now
Submissions open
Regular deadline
Monday, January 4, 2027
Late deadline
Thursday, February 4, 2027
Festival
April 15 to 18, 2027, NYC
The categories
Six ways to enter
02
Sign Language Poetry
[With Video-Editing]
A signed poem where the edit is part of the poem: the cuts, angles and effects carry meaning too.
Length: 1 to 4 minutes
03
Visual Vernacular
[Traditional]
Storytelling from Deaf culture that uses the body like a camera, with close-ups, wide shots and slow motion, all in sign.
Length: 1 to 4 minutes
04
Visual Vernacular
[With Video-Editing]
Visual Vernacular, with the film's own editing working alongside the performer's.
Length: 1 to 4 minutes
05
Handshape Poetry
Poems built from a chosen handshape, or a set run of them, like ABC and number stories.
Length: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
06
EML Best Poem Recitation
A poem recited in sign. The category's full rules are on FilmFreeway.
Length to be confirmed
52 days
Regular deadline
Monday, January 4, 2027
Late deadline
Thursday, February 4, 2027
Questions
Before you submit
Where do I send my film?
On FilmFreeway, at filmfreeway.com/slamrowfestival. SRFF takes no entries by email.
How long can my film be, and what does it cost?
Sign Language Poetry and Visual Vernacular films run 1 to 4 minutes. Handshape Poetry runs 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Fees are on the FilmFreeway page.
Traditional or with video-editing?
If your film uses any visual effects (a green screen background, flashing lights, camera transitions), enter the "with video-editing" category. If it has none, enter "traditional".
Visual Vernacular or Sign Language Poetry?
Visual Vernacular uses gesture, mime and classifiers that any Deaf audience can follow, without the signs of one language. If your piece is mostly signs from one sign language, enter Sign Language Poetry.
Does my film need captions?
SRFF to confirm caption rules for entries
Can I enter more than one category?
SRFF to confirm
When will I hear back?
Notification date to be added