The Silent Child
The Silent Child is a British sign-language short film written by and starring Rachel Shenton and directed by Chris Overton, and released in 2017 by Slick Films.[1] It tells the story of Libby, a profoundly deaf four-year-old girl, who lives a silent life until a social worker, played by Shenton, teaches her how to communicate through sign language.[2] The film won the Oscar for Live Action Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards.[3] The film's television debut was on BBC One to an audience of 3.6 million,[4] the film then received an extended period on BBC iPlayer.
| The Silent Child | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Chris Overton |
| Produced by | |
| Written by | Rachel Shenton |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Amir Konjani |
| Cinematography | Ali Farahani |
| Edited by | Emily Walder |
Production company | Slick Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 20 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English and British Sign Language |
Premise
The film was based on Shenton's own experiences as the child of a parent who became deaf. The film features profoundly deaf six-year-old first-time actor Maisie Sly as the titular child.[5][6] British Sign Language (BSL) is used in the film.
Cast
- Rachel Shenton as Joanne, a social worker
- Maisie Sly as Libby, a profoundly deaf four-year-old girl
- Rachel Fielding as Sue
- Philip York as Paul
- Anna Barry as Nancy
- Sam Rees as Seb
- Annie Cusselle as Pip
Reception
Critical response
The Silent Child has an approval rating of 92% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 13 reviews, and an average rating of 8.71/10.[7]
Awards and nominations
The Silent Child won best short film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August 2017. This made it eligible for entry to the Oscars. In December 2017 the film was selected as one of the final ten films in the Live Action Short Film category for the 90th Academy Awards. On 23 January 2018, it was announced that The Silent Child was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for the 90th Academy Awards, which it then won. Shenton kept a promise that she had made to their young lead actress and signed her acceptance speech.[8]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | March 4, 2018 | Live Action Short Film | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Aesthetica Short Film Festival | November 12, 2017 | People’s Choice Award | Chris Overton | Won |
| Aesthetica Short Film Festival | November 12, 2017 | Youth Jury Award | Chris Overton | Won |
| Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival | August, 2017 | Award of Recognition: Short Drama | Chris Overton | Won |
| Hollywood International Moving Pictures Film Festival | August, 2017 | Award of Recognition: Actress Under 18 | Maisie Sly | Won |
| London Independent Film Awards | August, 2017 | Best Actress | Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Rhode Island International Film Festival | August 13, 2017 | Best Actress | Maisie Sly | Won |
| Rhode Island International Film Festival | August 13, 2017 | Grand Jury Prize Winner | Chris Overton | Won |
| Encounters International Film Festival | 2017 | Audience Choice Award | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| American Short Film Awards | 2017 | Best Short Film of the Year | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Gold Movie Awards | 2017 | Film of the Year | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Gold Movie Awards | 2017 | Film of the Month | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Gold Movie Awards | 2017 | Best Short Film | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Lift-Off Film Festival, Season Awards | 2017 | Best Acting Ensemble | The entire cast. | Won |
| New Renaissance Film Festival | 2017 | Humanity Award | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| New Renaissance Film Festival | 2017 | Best Cinematography | Ali Farahani | Won |
| New Renaissance Film Festival | 2017 | Best Director | Chris Overton | Nominated |
| New Renaissance Film Festival | 2017 | Best Actress | Rachel Shenton | Nominated |
| Sydney Indie Film Festival | 2017 | Best Film | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Sydney Indie Film Festival | 2017 | Best Cinematography | Ali Farahani | Nominated |
| Sydney Indie Film Festival | 2017 | Best Actress | Rachel Shenton | Nominated |
| Southampton International Film Festival | 2017 | Best Short Screenplay | Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Southampton International Film Festival | 2017 | Best Short Film | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Nominated |
| Southampton International Film Festival | 2017 | Best Actress | Rachel Shenton | Nominated |
| Southampton International Film Festival | 2017 | Best Supporting Actress | Maisy Sly | Nominated |
| Overcome Film Festival | 2017 | Best Actress | Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Overcome Film Festival | 2017 | Best International Short Film | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Riverbend Film Festival | 2018 | Best Actress | Rachel Shenton | Won |
| Riverbend Film Festival | 2018 | Best Director | Chris Overton | Won |
| Savannah Film Festival | 2017 | Best Narrative Short | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| The Short Film Awards | 2017 | Best Narrative Short Film | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
| The Short Film Awards | 2017 | Best Editing | Emily Walder | Won |
| London Independent Film Festival | 2017 | Grand Jury Prize | Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton | Won |
Festivals Selections
| Film Festival | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Aesthetica Short Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Encounters International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Savannah Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Foyle International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Heartland International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| London Short Film Festival | Official Selection |
| London Independent Film Festival | Official Selection |
| HollyShorts International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Sydney Indie Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Kerry Short Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Underwire International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| New Renaissance International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Bolton International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| London Lift-Off Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Hollywood International Moving Picture Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Southampton International Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Overcome Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Riverbend Film Festival | Official Selection |
| Gold Movie Awards | Official Selection |
| The Short Film Awards | Official Selection |
| American Short Film Awards | Official Selection |
References
- "10 Live action shorts advance in 2017 Oscar race". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 11 December 2017.
- Colin Paterson (20 January 2018). "The Silent Child: From Hollyoaks to Hollywood?". BBC News.
- "Oscars 2018: The list of nominees in full". BBC News. 23 January 2018.
- https://tellymix.co.uk/soaps/coronation-street/356614-ratings-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-googlebox-viewing-figures.html
- "Profoundly deaf Maisie Sly is the star of a short film which might be nominated for an Oscar". BBC News. 20 January 2018.
- Daniel Angelini (23 January 2018). "Oscar nomination for short film starring Swindon six-year-old Maisie". Swindon Advertiser.
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_silent_child
- "Deaf British girl's film wins an Oscar". BBC News. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2018-03-05.