Support Deaf Girl Dancing the 1st Cook Islands Deaf film - WHEN YOU LOVE TO DANCE NOTHING SHOULD HOLD YOU BACK
Be a part of the 1st Cook Islands Deaf Film. Deaf Girl Dancing is storytelling from a deaf perspective, and we need your help.
International
Inclusion is what this film is all about. Often, because of misconceptions we minimize our community with disabilities. In the Cook Islands our deaf community are never seen on a film set or cast in our tourism videos.
This short film brings our deaf community on set as our writers, actors, crew, and advisors. The language of sign is our script, with English and Māori as our spoken word. Crew and Cast will be connected to the world of non-hearing, communication being verbal and sign. We are currently in pre-production and will film later this year.
Our film's story is a 'triumph narrative’. In Rarotonga, Ella faces anxieties and pressures of growing up in a world that is often unkind to those with disabilities. With heightened senses that allow her to feel sound vibrations and see a glow on movements, Ella developed a skill to choreograph dance routines gaining an online following where her deafness remains unknown. However, in public, she struggles with self-confidence due to years of bullying and exclusion.
Tonight, with her bestie Tiare, Ella reluctantly attends her cousin Itu’s farewell party. She encounters familiar frenemies who enjoy taunting her causing Ella’s insecurities to resurface. As the pressure mounts, Ella’s heightened senses take a hold transforming anxiety to strength, busting stereotypes showing when you love to dance nothing should hold you back.
Our film is also in memory of our friend Mii Taokia who created the image you see on this page. Rest in Love.
Glenda Tuaine's involvement (page creator)
Maurice is my husband, business partner and the lead sound designer and tech on the film.
Use of funds
Our cast and crew include our deaf and hard of hearing community, acting and working on set in the production with hearing crew.
Your support will directly fund our Sign Language tool kit and guidelines.
Other page links
Latest update
We are filming our lines so Meitaki for your support everyone ! 23 February 2025
Kia orana everyone - firstly thanks you so much for the response and the support we have had. It truly has and is making such a difference to our team knowing the support we have from you all. Over the past couple of months, we have been filming lines and variations of lines. Just as we all speak differently the way in which we sign has an individual's own idiosyncrasies, we also have Māori sign for certain words, so we are currently filming the different ways to say something, here is a little video for you to see how we are doing that. Again MEITAKI to all of you who are supporting us in making DEAF GIRL DANCING
Latest donations
Tehana meitaki this really helps us to build our films resources .
Betty Ringiao and Brander you support helps so much, Meitaki NUI
Seeing this this morning made me feel emotional. Thank you so very much But Guest Donor can you pm me on messenger so I can put your name on the credits ka pai if you want to remain anonymous but if not just message me x
Who's involved?