Silent Child Oscar couple compete for top ticket sales in aid of charity
An Oscar-winning couple are competing against each other to sell the most tickets to see their own film – in their home towns – all in aid of charity.
Cannock director Chris Overton is up against his fiancee and writer of the film, Rachel Shenton, to see who can sell the most tickets.
Money raised will go towards Deaflinks Staffordshire – a charity offering services to deaf people throughout the county.
The Silent Child will be shown at Electric Palace Picture House in Walsall Road, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, on April 15.
It will then be shown at Miss Shenton’s home in Stoke-on-Trent the following day.
Both screenings will be followed by a question and answer session about the making of the film while visitors will also get a chance to see their Oscars.
Mr Overton said: “I’m really excited to return to Cannock with the Oscar. It is where I grew up and where filmmaking began for me.
“I have had so many messages about how people are inspired by the achievement.
“There is even a plaque outside my old classroom at Kingsmead.”
Mr Overton said it was had been ‘really nice to hear’ how many people had been inspired by the couple’s success.
“We made the film with such little resources so we’ve kind of proved that anything is possible if you work hard enough and you find something you believe in,” he said.
“I never dreamed I would go to the Oscars, let alone actually win one. I owe so much to Rachel.
"You cannot buy what she has done for the last 12 years within the deaf community.
“Rachel has been involved with Deaflinks Staffordshire for over 10 years and it’s very close to her heart.
“They offer a vital service to the deaf and hard and heating community all across Staffordshire and for many, are a life line.
“Right now, due to more and more government cuts, they’re fighting to keep their head above water.
“They’re a tiny charity with only four paid members of staff and they deserve every penny.”
The film tells the story of a young deaf girl who struggles to communicate until she is aided by a kind-hearted social worker who teaches her sign language.
The young star, who made her debut performance in this short film, is deaf herself.
The couple won the Academy Award for the Best Short Film (Live Action) at the prestigious night earlier this month.
Tickets to see the film in Cannock or Stoke cost £6.88 and can be bought at eventbrite.com
