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Synopsis
Featuring an entirely Deaf cast and shot exclusively in American Sign Language, this is the story of a married couple who - after having tragically lost a child - seeks out a new, experimental therapy. Their grief is consuming them, destroying their marriage, and driving a wedge between them and the rest of society. They have found the only therapist who might be able to help them - but his process could be worse than anyone imagined.
Director's Statement
Millstone is a unique film, a dark story full of twists and turns shot entirely in American Sign Language. With an all-Deaf cast and a mixed hearing and Deaf crew, this film offers a fresh and authentic perspective on the human experience. The story does not revolve around the characters' deafness - nor even mention it - but instead allows these characters to simply exist, as dark and twisted as they may be. I am the father of a deaf son and I wanted to create a film showing the complexity and depth of people who happen to be deaf but aren't defined solely by their deafness.
Crew & Cast
Peter Hoffman Kimball (Director / Writer / Producer) is an award-winning screenwriter and director and, as the father of a deaf child, an advocate for d/Deaf representation. His 2023 film Millstone won the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival, and he has directed two films which qualified for the Academy Awards. His films have screened at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and such film festivals as Vancouver, Calgary, Interfilm Berlin, Cleveland, and Cucalorus. He is a former bouncer and German teacher and now is based in Washington, DC.
Behind the Scenes
- Runtime15:00
Stream the curated UCLAxFilmFest 2026 Official Selections here!
Synopsis
Featuring an entirely Deaf cast and shot exclusively in American Sign Language, this is the story of a married couple who - after having tragically lost a child - seeks out a new, experimental therapy. Their grief is consuming them, destroying their marriage, and driving a wedge between them and the rest of society. They have found the only therapist who might be able to help them - but his process could be worse than anyone imagined.
Director's Statement
Millstone is a unique film, a dark story full of twists and turns shot entirely in American Sign Language. With an all-Deaf cast and a mixed hearing and Deaf crew, this film offers a fresh and authentic perspective on the human experience. The story does not revolve around the characters' deafness - nor even mention it - but instead allows these characters to simply exist, as dark and twisted as they may be. I am the father of a deaf son and I wanted to create a film showing the complexity and depth of people who happen to be deaf but aren't defined solely by their deafness.
Crew & Cast
Peter Hoffman Kimball (Director / Writer / Producer) is an award-winning screenwriter and director and, as the father of a deaf child, an advocate for d/Deaf representation. His 2023 film Millstone won the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival, and he has directed two films which qualified for the Academy Awards. His films have screened at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and such film festivals as Vancouver, Calgary, Interfilm Berlin, Cleveland, and Cucalorus. He is a former bouncer and German teacher and now is based in Washington, DC.
Behind the Scenes
- Runtime15:00
