Deaf Jam (2011)

Deaf Jam is a 2011 documentary film directed and produced by American filmmaker Judy Lieff. The film centers on the experience of Aneta Brodski, a deaf teenager living in Queens, New York, who becomes immersed in the dynamic and three-dimensional form of American Sign Language poetry. When Aneta, an Israel-born ASL poet, eventually meets Tahani, a Palestinian, spoken word poet, the two begin to collaborate, creating a new form of poetry that gains recognition in Deaf and hearing communities alike.

Deaf Jam premiered on PBS's Independent Lens program, and was awarded the 2012 Japan Prize for the Best Work of the Youth Category.
"Deaf Jam" is a co-production of Made-By-Hand, LLC and the Independent Television Service (ITVS).

Synopsis

Aneta Brodski is first exposed to American Sign Language (ASL) poetry through an after-school program at the Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens. Aneta is an Israeli immigrant, and unlike many of her classmates, was born to an all-deaf family. She is dedicated to the study ASL poetry, and by the end of the first year, has begun to master the three-dimensional form and cultivate a strong poetic voice.