Deaf President Now! Trailer: Experience a Significant Student Protest in Sundance Documentary

      One of the most impactful documentaries to debut at Sundance this year was Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim’s *Deaf President Now!*, which chronicles the student protests against the 1988 appointment of a hearing individual as the president of Gallaudet University, a well-regarded institution for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. While the film follows the expected structure of an uplifting documentary detailing a significant moment of progress, the directors’ choice to enhance the audio of certain archival footage to immerse viewers in the experiences of the courageous participants is executed thoughtfully and intentionally. It is also rewarding to see the primary leaders of the movement appear on screen decades later and acknowledge how rightly their actions aligned with history. Ahead of its May 16 release on Apple TV+, the initial trailer has now been unveiled.

      Here’s the synopsis: “From Academy Award-nominated producer, co-director, and Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco, alongside Academy Award-winning producer and co-director Davis Guggenheim, *Deaf President Now!* recounts the eight days of historic protests at Gallaudet University in 1988 after the board of trustees appointed a hearing president over several highly qualified Deaf candidates. Following a week of rallies, boycotts, and demonstrations, the students of Gallaudet University succeed as the hearing president resigns, leading to Dr. I. King Jordan becoming the first Deaf president of the university. These protests marked a crucial moment in civil rights history, influencing events far beyond the Gallaudet campus and helping to pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). *Deaf President Now!* includes exclusive interviews with five key figures of the movement, known as the DPN4 — Jerry Covell, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Tim Rarus, and Greg Hlibok — along with I. King Jordan, and features both archival and scripted elements. The film also employs an experimental narrative style termed Deaf Point of View, utilizing impressionistic visuals and intricate sound design to immerse the audience in the Deaf experience.”

      Watch the trailer below.