(Ben Shelton, Anthony Mowl, US 2025, 107 min., DCP)
Charles Graves has been deaf most of his life. In a household with parents who never learned sign language, his holiday memories consist of watching his siblings chat with Santa Claus while he received a thumbs up and a pat on the back. As an employee of the Texas School of the Deaf, Graves loves working with youth. Add to that his striking physical similarity to St. Nick, and Graves and his wife Kari decided there was a need to be filled by performing as “Deaf Santa Claus,” bringing cheer and acceptance to under-served believers around the country. This documentary tracks Graves’s journey from small-town Texas into the corporate world of Big Santa, spreading hope and inspiration along the way.
Special Guest Appearance by Charles and Kari Graves! The introduction and post-film discussion will be accompanied by an ASL interpreter, and the film will screen with open captions.