Layne Ryn Alba

Best Actor

International Award

IMDb

Layne Ryn Alba

Layne

Ryn

Alba

Best Actor

International Award

IMDb

Rain In My Head - 3X WINNER

GENRE: ROMANCE

A deeply intimate and poignant depiction of the lives of Sarah and Marie, two deaf individuals who share a queer relationship.

Best Actor Award (Layne Apffel) | Best Director (Chrissy Marshall) | Best Film | Award at Sony Picture Studios

The Last of Us - A Fan Film

GENRE: DRAMA | PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | POST-APOCALYPTIC

In the aftermath of Joel's death, Ellie's mission of survival becomes a haunting reflection on grief, mercy, and the cost of carrying on. A short film featuring Layne Alba (Apffel) as Ellie from The Last of Us, exploring the complexities of Ellie's grief in an apocalytic world.

Exhale

GENRE: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER / ARTHOUSE HORROR

The cigarette as a symbol of control, addiction to the relationship, and the slow destruction of the self–each light and extinguish mirrors a cycle of violence and respite. Each "drag" is a moment of survival, submission, or defiance. The final long breath out. A sign of death, release, orhollow victory.

Films

Films

Rain In My Head - 3X WINNER

GENRE: ROMANCE

 

A deeply intimate and poignant depiction of the lives of Sarah and Marie, two deaf individuals who share a queer relationship.

Best Actor Award (Layne Apffel) | Best Director (Chrissy Marshall) | Best Film | Award at Sony Picture Studios
See the film on IMDB

The Last of Us - A Fan Film

GENRE: DRAMA | PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | POST-APOCALYPTIC

 

In the aftermath of Joel's death, Ellie's mission of survival becomes a haunting reflection on grief, mercy, and the cost of carrying on. A short film featuring Layne Alba (Apffel) as Ellie from The Last of Us, exploring the complexities of Ellie’s grief in an apocalyptic world.

Exhale

GENRE: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | ARTHOUSE HORROR

 

The cigarette as a symbol of control, addiction to the relationship, and the slow destruction of the self—each light and extinguish mirrors a cycle of violence and respite. Each “drag” is a moment of survival, submission, or defiance. The final long breath out. A sigh of death, release, or hollow victory.

Layne's First Award–Best Actor

Layne's Award–Best Actor

“'Rain in My Head' was the big winner at the 10th annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, taking honors for best film, director Chrissy Marshall and actor Layne Apffel." –Variety Magazine

WINNER: Best Actor, Easterseals Disability Film Challenge | International Award

 

Layne Ryn Alba (Apffel) wins the Best Actor award for her protrayal of Marie, who is moving through a relationship with the challenges of communicating in different languages while also struggling with thoughts of suicide. Layne specializes in 'still waters run deep' characters – those whose internal intensity fuels the external flame.

“I’ve worked with [actor] Sophia Morales before, so I already knew that she’s an amazing talent that I wanted in all my films, honestly. And same goes for Layne. They’re both so incredibly talented, and I’ve seen them work in a bunch of different mediums, and they nail it every time."
–Chrissy Marshall, Director

With over 600 films since its inception, the awards were held at the Cary Grant Theater at Sony Studios drawing celebrities like Jameela Jamil and Peter Farrelly. ABILITY Magazine’s George Kaplan interviewed some of the nominees and presenters in attendance on the orange carpet. Sweeping three major categories, “Rain in my Head” took home Best Director for Chrissy Marshall, Best Actor for Layne Apffel and Best Film.

 

Article  |  Video Interview | IMDb | Variety Magazine | Film Freeway

How Layne Works

How Layne Works

Layne speaks and listens like any hearing person you've met. Her cochlear implant allows her to hold natural conversations, read lips fluently, and advocate for herself on set without missing a beat.

 

The only difference? She's exceptionally good at clear communication–because she's had to be.

What You'll Notice Working With Layne:

 

  • She prefers text for logistics. Email, script notes, and scheduling? Put it in writing. This means nothing gets lost in translation. Every hearing actor should work this way.
     
  • She nails video calls. In-person is best, but when that isn't possible, for table reads, rehearsals, or creative discussions, a video call with her lip-reading is cleaner than most hearing actors on audio-only. If she has a hearing assistant on the line to catch the 5% the implant misses, the call runs faster than average.
     
  • She is a low-maintenance person. Speak facing her. That's it. Quieter environments help, but she'll simply turn her body toward you–something every good actor should do anyway. If she asks you to repeat something (rare), a patient second take earns her loyalty for the entire production.
     
  • She avoids phone calls. So will you, when you realize how inefficient phone calls are for any complex creative conversation. Text, email, or video–Layne keeps everyone moving forward.
     

The bottom line for directors: Layne requires no special set protocols, no extra time build into the schedule, and no hand-holding. She requires what every actor should give you: eye contact, patience, and written backup for important details. You'll see how great it is to work with her by lunch on Day One.

Layne's Headshots

In Layne's Words

I started acting in 2021 as a hobby on social media. By 2023, I had won Best Actor International Award for Rain in My Head–a film that also took Best Film and Best Director at the EasterSeals Disability Film Challenge. Audiences saw something. So do I.

 

I was born deaf. A cochlear implant gave me sound. Usher Syndrome gave me news at 14 that in my later years I could eventually go blind. That diagnosis could have ended me. Instead, it taught me to watch. To study the tiney movements of a face. To read what a body says when a voice stays quiet.

 

I don't act despite my deafness. I act because of what it forced me to see.

 

I want to show this wolrd exactly what "human" looks like–on screen, in frame, in the difficult and beautiful in-between.

Layne's Story is in the Works!

The book will be on pre-order soon. Come back for the latest info and pre-order link!

The odds are 0.00000000004%. This kid did it at the age of 21. And this is just the beginning.