Film production by deaf entrepreneurs, making accessible films for a hearing-impaired audience

Solution
Supervisuell film productions
Organization
Supervisuell
Country of Implementation
Norway
Region
Europe
Subregion
Northern Europe
Start Year
2014
First published
03.12.2024

Supervisuell AS in Norway produces accessible films for the deaf community. By 2024, it created 400+ videos and provided permanent jobs for 7 deaf individuals and temporary roles for 30 annually.

A man stands on a pallet in front of a green screen in a studio space, dressed in dark attire, possibly in the midst of filming or photography. Crew members are silhouetted, creating an atmosphere of creative collaboration. This scene underscores inclusivity in creative arts, where diverse teams come together behind the scenes.
At Supervisuell deaf and sign language-fluent people create accessible films and videos.

Solution details

People

Finn Arild Thordarson Website
“To achieve true accessibility, we need to be entrepreneurs. We are here to serve, not to be served. ” Finn Arild Thordarson, Founder/CEO, Supervisuell AS

Supervisuell AS, based in Sandefjord, Norway, is a mid-size social enterprise founded by deaf entrepreneurs. Its film production unit, the company’s largest department, creates accessible films for the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind audience, mainly funded publicly. From 2019 to 2024 the team, comprising deaf and sign language-fluent people, produced over 400 videos, providing permanent jobs for seven deaf individuals and temporary positions for another 30 annually.

Problems Targeted

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals often encounter barriers in the media industry, such as language challenges, lack of experience, and limited networking opportunities.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Supervisuell AS is a social enterprise that runs various projects organized by and targeting people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Supervisuell’s largest unit produces films and videos specifically for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind audiences. The company consists solely of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and sign language-fluent hearing employees. An annual salary is approximately €60,000. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals are involved in all aspects of video production, including management, directing, filming, editing, digital art/illustration, animation, lighting, and sound. Deaf actors and writers contribute to creating authentic narratives and performances that resonate with the deaf community.  Supervisuell primarily produces video materials for children, as this is the age group where access to sign language is most crucial for people with hearing disabilities. Supervisuell produces high-quality artistic films, children’s fairy tales, rhymes and songs, informational videos, and educational material used from grade 1 to post-secondary, university, and beyond. The company also focuses on creating material that supports elderly deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind people to stay connected and up to date in an ever-changing world. In total, all videos published have been collectively played over 1.8 million times.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Supervisuell AS has three primary sources of income: public funding from Stiftelsen Dam (approximately 70 per cent, coming from the government’s lottery profits), the National Library of Norway (around 20 per cent), and self-financing through sales of video services (about 10 per cent). Future projects include international collaborations and the creation of a co-working space for deaf freelancers. (Zero Project Awardee 2025)

Media

Pictures

A man stands on a pallet in front of a green screen in a studio space, dressed in dark attire, possibly in the midst of filming or photography. Crew members are silhouetted, creating an atmosphere of creative collaboration. This scene underscores inclusivity in creative arts, where diverse teams come together behind the scenes. At Supervisuell deaf and sign language-fluent people create accessible films and videos.
A man stands on a pallet in front of a green screen in a studio space, dressed in dark attire, possibly in the midst of filming or photography. Crew members are silhouetted, creating an atmosphere of creative collaboration. This scene underscores inclusivity in creative arts, where diverse teams come together behind the scenes. At Supervisuell deaf and sign language-fluent people create accessible films and videos.

Related information

Connections
2

Solutions with the same:

Country of Implementation

Norway

Region of Implementation

Europe