"Breaking Silence" short film + panel discussion

Step into an unforgettable evening of powerful storytelling and community conversation at “Breaking Silence” short film + panel discussion.

This acclaimed documentary short follows Walker and Leslie Estes, a deaf father and his CODA daughter from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as they rebuild their relationship after Leslie’s release from prison. Together, they channel their lived experiences of incarceration and deafness into advocacy for others caught at the intersection of disability and the criminal justice system.

Through intimate, vérité-style moments, the film explores the emotional terrain of parenthood, regret, resilience, and ultimately, healing. It offers a rare look at how deaf and disabled people are routinely failed by the prison system, and how one family is transforming that pain into purposeful work.

After the screening, stay for a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring community partners, film participants, and the filmmaker. This is your chance to hear directly from people on the front lines of disability rights and criminal justice reform, and to reflect on how art can spark real-world change.

• 7:00 – Doors open: arrive early to settle in, connect, and grab your seat.
• 7:30 – Screening of “Breaking Silence” followed by a live panel discussion.
• Engaging conversation with partners like Texas Appleseed, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Art Spark Texas, Cinema Touching Disability, Lioness JIWA, Deaf Television Foundation, and more.
• Hear directly from the filmmaker and participants about the stories and advocacy work behind the film.
• Ideal for anyone interested in documentary film, disability justice, criminal legal reform, and meaningful community dialogue.

Come ready to listen, learn, and be moved by a story that refuses to stay silent.