DeafFest venue Light House ‘ceases trading’ following ‘significant’ funding losses

The Light House Media Centre, the Wolverhampton-based independent cinema dubbed the “home” of Deaf film and arts festival DeafFest, has closed its doors.

Accounts filed in July last year detailed “significant external revenue funding losses” for the organisation, including funding cuts from the local council and a decision from the University of Wolverhampton to withdraw accommodation hire for its Film Studies degree course.

In a statement issued on social media, Marketing Manager Daryl Griffiths wrote: “For a venue that has been remarkably resilient amidst many a challenge, never did we think it would finally come to this.

The worst week professionally. And now I can finally explain why.

I'll worry about my own personal circumstances later. Bar dramatic late intervention.

Consider this another huge warning shot. Whatever happens.@lighthousemedia forever. ❤❤ pic.twitter.com/xuionczUuJ

— Darryl Griffiths 🏳️‍🌈📽 (@LegallyBOD) November 2, 2022

“Now let’s talk about what the city of Wolverhampton is about to lose bar [an] 11th hour intervention.

“I think of the glorious All Hands On Decks vinyl nights. I think of the biannual Deaffest.

“The fact I’m even having to type that out is a gross indictment on the country as a whole,” he said.

We are sad to see the closure of @lighthousemedia, the "home" of #Deaffest. Deaffest will continue and the next festival will take place in 2024. We'd love to know your memories at the Light House 💛 https://t.co/lbDxgSbyOW

— Deaffest (@Deaffest) November 4, 2022

Commenting on the Light House’s decision to cease trading, DeafFest tweeted they were “sad to see the closure” of the venue which it described as “the ‘home’ of DeafFest”.

“Deaffest will continue and the next festival will take place in 2024. We’d love to know your memories at the Light House,” they wrote.

Photo: Google.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.