Byron Film Fest ready to roll

Filmmaker Darmin Cameron, of Billen Cliffs, will have his film Interpreting Woodford screened at the Byron Bay Film Festival. He is pictured signing the AUSLAN for applause.

Jacklyn Wagner

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IF the idea of making a film about deaf people at a music festival sounds a bit strange, the jokes on you.

The humour in the award-winning documentary Interpreting Woodford comes largely from the exceptional talent of AUSLAN signer Jasmine Phillips, who interpreted the stand-up comedians at Woodford Comedy Festival.

The documentary, which earned director Darmin Cameron his second consecutive Spirit of Woodford Award, will be screened next week at The Byron Bay Film Festival.

Amid the mud and mayhem, Mr Cameron captured the humour celebrated by the AUSLAN community.

The Billen Cliffs filmmaker sat with a group of people with disabilities as they all laughed heartily together at the comedic talent of Jasmine.

“The timing and the nuances of comedy are hard enough to deliver, let alone interpret and sign,” he said.

“Imagine signing, ‘It’s is easier to find a haystack than stick a needle into a camel’s eye’,” Mr Cameron said.

Despite the challenges of mud, cumbersome equipment and sleep deprivation, Mr Cameron encouraged other filmmakers to enter the Spirit of Woodford filmmaking competition.

“The award is about capturing the spirit of the festival, which is essentially about caring for others and caring for the earth,” he said.

“I love going to the movies and the idea of having one of my films shown at the Lismore cinema is really exciting.”

Interpreting Woodford will be screened at Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas as part of the Byron Bay International Film Festival on Saturday at 2.45pm.

See www.bbff.com.au for more details.