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. 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. The film won the Oscar for Live Action Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards. The film's television debut was on BBC One to an audience of 3.6 million, the film then received an extended period on BBC iPlayer.

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. British Sign Language is used in the film.

Cast

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.
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientsResult
Academy AwardsMarch 4, 2018Live Action Short FilmChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Aesthetica Short Film FestivalNovember 12, 2017People’s Choice AwardChris Overton
Aesthetica Short Film FestivalNovember 12, 2017Youth Jury AwardChris Overton
August, 2017Award of Recognition: Short DramaChris Overton
August, 2017Award of Recognition: Actress Under 18Maisie Sly
August, 2017Best ActressRachel Shenton
Rhode Island International Film FestivalAugust 13, 2017Best ActressMaisie Sly
Rhode Island International Film FestivalAugust 13, 2017Grand Jury Prize WinnerChris Overton
Encounters International Film Festival2017Audience Choice AwardChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
American Short Film Awards2017Best Short Film of the YearChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Gold Movie Awards2017Film of the YearChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Gold Movie Awards2017Film of the MonthChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Gold Movie Awards2017Best Short FilmChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Lift-Off Film Festival, Season Awards2017Best Acting EnsembleThe entire cast.
New Renaissance Film Festival2017Humanity AwardChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
New Renaissance Film Festival2017Best CinematographyAli Farahani
New Renaissance Film Festival2017Best DirectorChris Overton
New Renaissance Film Festival2017Best ActressRachel Shenton
Sydney Indie Film Festival2017Best FilmChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Sydney Indie Film Festival2017Best CinematographyAli Farahani
Sydney Indie Film Festival2017Best ActressRachel Shenton
Southampton International Film Festival2017Best Short ScreenplayRachel Shenton
Southampton International Film Festival2017Best Short FilmChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Southampton International Film Festival2017Best ActressRachel Shenton
Southampton International Film Festival2017Best Supporting ActressMaisy Sly
Overcome Film Festival2017Best ActressRachel Shenton
Overcome Film Festival2017Best International Short FilmChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
Riverbend Film Festival2018Best ActressRachel Shenton
Riverbend Film Festival2018Best DirectorChris Overton
Savannah Film Festival2017Best Narrative ShortChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
The Short Film Awards2017Best Narrative Short FilmChris Overton and Rachel Shenton
The Short Film Awards2017Best EditingEmily Walder
London Independent Film Festival2017Grand Jury PrizeChris Overton and Rachel Shenton

Festivals Selections