Vanguard Culture correspondent Cory Jones interviews Academy Award® winner Marlee Matlin ( Children of a Lesser God, CODA ) at the 2025 San Diego International Film Festival: A Celebration of Cinematic Excellence, where she was honored with the Visionary Impact Award for her groundbreaking contributions to film and her tireless advocacy for inclusion. In her interview, Matlin reflected on her 40-year career and the importance of using her platform to create lasting change. She shared how, after the success of her debut film, she dedicated herself to championing closed captioning accessibility, advocating before Congress to ensure captions became standard on television — a change that now benefits people worldwide in hundreds of languages. Her enduring commitment to accessibility and representation continues to open doors for the Deaf and hard of hearing community, while enriching the art of storytelling for audiences everywhere.