The multitalented Nyle DiMarco is the winner of two reality competitions: America’s Next Top Model (2015) and Dancing With the Stars (2016). He’s acted on Station 19 and Queer as Folk. He’s a Deaf activist. And this year, he made his directorial debut with Deaf President Now!
The Emmy-nominated documentary covers the 1988 student protest that occurred at Gallaudet University after the world’s premier university for the Deaf elected a hearing president — a pivotal moment in the Deaf rights movement that led to the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. With his film, DiMarco hopes he’s “engraving it as a part of history, so it may stand alongside other movements that are taught.”
Additionally, DiMarco wishes the story of activists with different viewpoints coming together for change will inspire others in today’s divided world. “In many ways, we’ve forgotten how to protest. I think we’ve lost hope,” DiMarco says. “My hope would be that this film really inspires people, that collective action is still possible, and that we can use it to meet our goals.” @nyledimarco
