Deaf President Now!

2025
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

8.6/10

YOUR RATING

Greg Hlibok, Jerry Covell, and Tim Rarus in Deaf President Now! (2025)

Co-directors and producers Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim take us behind the scenes of how they crafted the inspiring documentary 'Deaf President Now!' Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the doc tells the story of the 1988 student-led protests at Gallaudet University to demand a Deaf president for the school. DiMarco and Guggenheim share how their distinct perspectives led to innovative filmmaking techniques that immerse audiences in both Deaf and hearing experiences. The directors explain why this historic protest deserves wider recognition and how their partnership ensures the story is told with authenticity and respect for the Deaf community.

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Watch How Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim Captured the 'Deaf President Now!' Story

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Documentary

In 1988, Deaf students at Gallaudet University protested until the school appointed its first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan, marking a pivotal moment for Deaf rights and representation.In 1988, Deaf students at Gallaudet University protested until the school appointed its first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan, marking a pivotal moment for Deaf rights and representation.In 1988, Deaf students at Gallaudet University protested until the school appointed its first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan, marking a pivotal moment for Deaf rights and representation.

Directors
- Nyle DiMarco
- Davis Guggenheim
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.6/10

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Nyle DiMarco
- Davis Guggenheim
Stars

Coming soon

Releases May 16, 2025

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

User reviews1

Featured review

8/10

Wonderful important moment of history that is long forgotten

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The Deaf President Now! Movement has been forgotten and with this new documentary, it is an ambitious and well-intended story that explores the historic moment of the Deaf President Now! Movement with great insightful explorations and some of the best editing and sound designs of recent times for documentaries.

Many of the participants and discussions are directly used well, blended with the archival footage, sound designs and inspiring moments that allows the viewers to be drawn into the political dynamics. Getting into the time period and getting into their shoes. You feel for those who are going through that event and observing the politic tension and moments in that time era, you feel a sense of anger, purpose, and the disfunction that the deaf community was going through and how they fought for themselves. Despite having some moments that does feel repetitive with it's length, Directors Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim have successfully discussed a subject that shouldn't be forgotten.