Slam Row Film Submission
An exciting new international event celebrating the creativity of signing artists, run by a joined forces; Front Row Films and ASL SLAM to bring you Slam Row Film Festival.
Celebrating ASL SLAM's 20th anniversary by this year's festival, highlighting three major genres of creative signing:
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Sign language poetry
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Visual Vernacular
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Handshape storytelling
Winning entries will be announced at a ceremony on April 25, 2025.
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Video Categories
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Sign Language Poetry [traditional]
Create a poem in any existing sign language (e.g. ASL, BSL, LSM, LSF, etc.). Sign language poetry typically conveys a specific idea, feeling, or image that are creatively and stylistically choreographed.
Video length: 1 minute to 4 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your video contains visual/special effects (like animated green screen backgrounds, flashing lights, camera transitions, etc.), please submit your video under “Sign Language Poetry [with video-editing]”.
Sample videos:
“World is Our Playground” by Ketsi Hottle (syncwithasl)
“Deconstruct W.O.R.D.” by Jolanta Lapiak (Handspeak)
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Sign Language Poetry [with video-editing]
reate a poem in any existing sign language (e.g. ASL, BSL, LSM, LSF, etc.). Sign language poetry typically conveys a specific idea, feeling, or image that are creatively and stylistically choreographed. Video editing and effects are used in composing the work.
Video length: 1 minute to 4 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your video does not contain ANY visual/special effects (like animated green screen backgrounds, flashing lights, camera transitions, etc.), please submit your video under “Sign Language Poetry [traditional]”.
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Visual Vernacular [traditional]
Visual Vernacular is a work that use of gestures, pantomime and depicting verbs. It is highly visual and understood by deaf audience all over the world. Performers play with “signing” tempo, character shifting, and creating images across different environments as if we are watching a movie.
Video length: 1 minute to 4 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTE: 1) Visual Vernacular is universally intelligible (using gestures & universal classifiers) and typically doesn't use signs specific to any sign language. Therefore, if your video is mostly signs from a sign language, please submit your video under “Sign Language Poetry”. 2) If your video contains visual/special effects (like animated green screen backgrounds, flashing lights, camera transitions, etc.), please submit your video under “Visual Vernacular [with video-editing]”.
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Visual Vernacular [with video-edting]
Visual Vernacular is a work that use of gestures, pantomime and depicting verbs. It is highly visual and understood by deaf audience all over the world. Performers play with “signing” tempo, character shifting, and creating images across different environments as if we are watching a movie.
Video length: 1 minute to 4 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTE: 1) Visual Vernacular is universally intelligible (using gestures & universal classifiers) and typically doesn't use signs specific to any sign language. Therefore, if your video is mostly signs from a sign language, please submit your video under “Sign Language Poetry”. 2) If your video doesn't have visual/special effects (like animated green screen backgrounds, flashing lights, camera transitions, etc.), please submit your video under “Visual Vernacular [traditional]".
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Handshape Story
Category description: Create a story using only a set of handshapes. This type of poem is often known as "number stories" or "ABC stories" or "A to Z stories." You could also sign the entire story using only one or two handshapes like "L" and "A". You may use video editing and special effects if you wish.
Video length: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
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Handshape Story for Youth ( 13 - 18 years old)
Category description: Create a story using only a set of handshapes. This type of poem is often known as "number stories" or "ABC stories" or "A to Z stories." You could also sign the entire story using only one or two handshapes like "L" and "A". There are many ways to create handshape stories. You may use video editing and special effects if you wish.
Video length: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
IMPORTANT NOTE: You must be between 13 and 18 years of age on January 1, 2025.
Submit your films via FilmFreeway or Google Form.
We look forward to your entries!"
