Particle.news

Download on the App Store

‘Deaf President Now!’ Documentary Premieres on Apple TV+, Showcasing Deaf-Led Storytelling

Co-directed by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim, the film revisits the 1988 Gallaudet University protests and highlights the enduring power of collective action.

Image
Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Greg Hlibok and Jerry Covell as part of the Deaf President Now protest. Image: Apple TV+
Image
Image

Overview

  • The documentary recounts the pivotal eight-day 1988 protests at Gallaudet University that led to the appointment of the institution's first Deaf president.
  • Co-directed by Deaf advocate Nyle DiMarco and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, the film premiered on Apple TV+ on May 16, 2025.
  • The project emphasizes authentic Deaf representation, ensuring the story is told through a Deaf perspective to prevent co-option by hearing creators.
  • DiMarco hopes the film will inspire modern audiences by demonstrating how unity and collective action can drive meaningful social change.
  • The film serves as both a historical case study and a cultural touchstone, showcasing the intergenerational transmission of Deaf civil rights history.