On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Deaf Santa Claus had its Columbus, Ohio premiere at the historic Drexel Theatre — an independent cinema landmark in the Bexley neighborhood with a long history of programming documentary and arthouse work. The Drexel’s programmers selected the film based on the Austin Film Festival reviews and the Awards Buzz blurb, and worked closely with the foundation on accessibility logistics for the Columbus-area Deaf community.
The Drexel screening was one of the densest community-event stops on the entire tour. Local Deaf community organizations partnered with the venue on audience outreach, and several area educators brought student groups. The screening featured open captions throughout, with ASL interpreters at the Q&A.
The Drexel’s role in central Ohio’s independent-film scene helped the foundation extend its reach into a region it had not previously toured, and the strong audience response at the Drexel directly influenced subsequent bookings in the Midwest.
