Accessible cinema: www. your local cinema .com

Sponsored by the UK film industry.

We are very thankful that our service continues to be sponsored by the cinema industry, film distributors, technology companies and the major organisations representing people with hearing or sight loss. Without the support of these sponsors the service would simply not be able to operate. You can read about our sponsors and visit their websites below.

FDA is the trade body representing UK theatrical film distributors. Its members include the UK offices of all the multi-national distributors, including Warner Bros., Buena Vista (Disney), Twentieth Century Fox, Columbia TriStar, UIP, Entertainment, Pathé, and several locally-based independent companies. Taken together, FDA members' releases account for over 95% of UK cinema admissions.

In 2001, FDA issued a protocol for the supply of subtitled and audio described materials. Since then, its members have released almost 1,000 films with subtitles and/or audio description. The range of 'accessible' titles rises week by week.

DISTRIBUTORS: Interested in providing an 'accessible' service? We can create your subtitled internet trailers and accessible mini-websites - for free: subtitles@yourlocalcinema.com

The CEA is the trade body representing well over 90% of UK cinema exhibitors, ranging from single screen/owner managed sites to the largest circuit and multiplex operators.

In the late 90's CEA set up the Industry Disability Working Group, involving major representative bodies, to investigate ways in which to improve access to cinemas and films for disabled people - particularly those with hearing or sight problems.

The CEA has been instrumental in helping with the planning of the UK Film Councils' pioneering 2003 Cinema Access Programme. Most UK cinemas are now equipped with subtitle facilities and more than 300 with audio description facilities.

EXHIBITORS: Got accessible shows to publicise?
Contact us to directly inform thousands of interested parties nationwide of your subtitled or audio described screenings - for free: subtitles@yourlocalcinema.com

AIM is the generic marketing agency for UK cinema. Acting on behalf of cinema owners and film distributors, AIM is the dynamic focal point for UK generic cinema audience development and is tasked with the development of strategic communications to grow and diversify the audience for cinema. Current projects include Orange Wednesdays and various anti-piracy initiatives.

itfc are Europe’s leading provider of subtitling and audio description to the entertainment industry. Almost 1,000 cinema releases have been made available with subtitles and audio description. Most have been prepared by itfc. itfc also provides a range of other facilities including video post production, DVD authoring and in vision signing.

DTS Europe Ltd

DTS Europe Ltd is dedicated to bringing the movie going experience to all audiences. For nearly a decade, DTS has taken on a leading role in providing access to first-run films for underserved audiences.

The DTS Cinema Subtitling System (DTS-CSS) is installed in more than 200 UK cinemas and operates in the same way as the company’s cinema digital sound system. Available as a standalone system, DTS-CSS can work with a single inventory of prints and the appropriate CSS discs to provide subtitling, captioning and audio description in any required language, or languages, throughout the world.

Captioning - In the past, cinemas have traditionally waited until a specially captioned print (in which the captions are etched or overlaid onto the film) was available. These special prints have historically been produced in limited numbers. With the DTS-CSS, captions are projected onto the screen, which enables the cinema to use a standard release print for captioned shows. Being easy to use, cinema operators can simply insert the appropriate CD-ROM disc (which includes the caption information) and turn the system on. This flexibility allows exhibitors to schedule more open-captioned screenings at more convenient times.

Audio Description - Providing access for visually impaired moviegoers, the audio description is received on infrared headphones and does not impact on other patrons. Patrons using these headphones hear all the dialogue and effects, as well as a vocal narration in between describing the scene and the action. Characters are described, visual jokes explained, and body language are all outlined in the narrative.

DTS Europe Ltd
No. 5, Tavistock Estate, Ruscombe Lane,
Twyford, Berkshire RG10 9NJ, UK
phone: 0118 934 9199
email: contentservices@datasatdigital.com
web: www.datasatdigital.com

The companies/groups above contribute financially to keep our service running.

The companies/groups below help us to publicise and create maximum nationwide awareness of accessible cinema.

The UK Film Council is the strategic agency for film in the UK and supported this website financially from 2004 to 2009. Their 2003 £350,000 Cinema Access Programme was a pioneering programme to improve facilities for people with hearing and sight problems. In 2004, over 100 UK cinemas were equipped with subtitle/caption and audio description equipment to enable more people to enjoy the cinema experience. In 2008/9 the UK Film Council input another £500,000 in grants, to assist independent cinemas to upgrade equipment and infrastructure so that more disabled people can have access to the cinema-going experience.

Most UK cinemas are now equipped with subtitle facilities and more than 300 with audio description facilities. The growing number of 'accessible' cinema sites and attendees to subtitled & audio described shows have encouraged distributors to produce more titles with subtitles & description. More titles have encouraged cinemas to utilise their systems better, to schedule subtitled shows at more convenient times, resulting in better attendance. The UK Film Council kickstarted this chain of events.

Dolby Laboratories is the developer of sound systems used worldwide in applications that include motion picture sound, consumer entertainment products and media, broadcasting, and music recording.

The Dolby ScreenTalk system is installed in more than 100 UK cinemas and produces cinema subtitles, audio description for movies, and cinema advertising images. Subtitles can be switched on for selected performances of a movie, without modifications to the film print and audio description files can be beamed via an infrared headphone system, without any impact on the rest of the audience.

There are more than 1 billion Dolby-licensed consumer electronics products available worldwide.

"Changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people" RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people. They do this with the help of their members, by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.

NDCS is an organisation of parents, families and carers which exists to support parents in enabling their deaf or hard of hearing child to maximise their skills and abilities; and works to facilitate this process by every means possible. Its fundamental role is to advocate for parents and carers as and when appropriate, whilst at all times ensuring the child's welfare is paramount.

"Supporting blind and partially sighted people" RNIB is the UK's leading organisation offering information, support and advice to over two million people with a sight problem. Its pioneering work with the public and private sector helps anyone with a sight problem - not just with braille, Talking Books and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges, such as accessing digital television and cinema via audio description. RNIB campaigns with government and industry to ensure that people with a sight problem have equality of access and opportunity.

Pearl & Dean have helped promote 'accessible' cinema by creating cinema adverts and website links. Founded in 1953 - Pearl & Dean is the greatest name in UK cinema advertising. Passionate about everything related to film & cinema. P&D brings clients campaigns to life not only on the most impactful medium there is - the big screen, but also by extending those campaigns into the rest of the cinema environment through experiential elements, sampling and sponsorship opportunities. Pearl & Dean also have a rather groovy theme tune!

Arts Alliance Digital Cinema (AADC), the pioneer provider of digital cinema services, installs and operates the UK Film Council's Digital Screen Network (DSN). The world’s first large scale digital cinema deployment is a core part of the UK Film Council’s strategy for improving access to specialised film and broadening the range of films available to audiences throughout the UK.

Screen International is the leading weekly magazine covering the international film markets. It provides a whole-industry perspective from some of the most knowledgeable writers and data analysts in the business. Every issue delivers analysis, opinion and commentary on the issues, people and products shaping the worldwide film industry.

Screen International
Greater London House, Hampstead Rd, London, NW1 7EJ
web: www.screendaily.com

Cobweb Solutions provides uninterrupted 24/7 internet & email services. Cobweb is Europe’s leading provider of Hosted Microsoft Exchange solutions and is one of only four Microsoft Gold Certified Partners in the world - and the only one outside the USA. The company is the power behind our website and is the ‘approved’ supplier of Internet solutions to many well known name companies.

Their capability is internationally recognised and has won many industry awards, including Microsoft EMEA 'Hosting partner of the Year', ISP Awards 'Best Application Service' and the Microsoft 'best small business solution in western Europe' Award.

IFDNRG web and video servers power a wide range of online content covering music, live sports, corporate events, agency campaigns and a whole host more. They are focused on developing their network to promote high performance and highly scalable web services and as a result provide fast, reliable solutions to the commercial internet sector. Core responsibilities are to provide ultra-fast web and video hosting in the best possible conditions available, using the latest hardware.

Cinema Business is the trade journal for UK film distributors, cinema exhibitors, their suppliers and all who are interested in the business of cinema. It provides the inside track on the world of UK cinema. Universally praised and read, it contains news, profiles, box office data, analysis, technical updates, marketing intelligence, films listings and information about trade suppliers. It's the best source of information about what is important in this industry.

Screentrade Magazine

Since its launch in February 2002, Screentrade has quickly established itself as the favourite Exhibitor journal in Britain, Europe, and now America. It covers, in-depth, all aspects of Cinema Exhibition and Film Distribution.

In addition to recognising the film industry to be very people-oriented, Screentrade has become renowned for its honest and cutting-edge interviews with senior management and regularly covers technical, managerial, concessions and retail issues - that impact on everyday decision making - in dedicated sections each issue. Access issues are also periodically covered.

Screentrade goes direct to named decision-makers in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada & Russia, making it arguably the most influential exhibitor journal among its territories' movers and shakers.

Screentrade is published four times annually and coincides with the run-up to ShoWest, Cinexpo and CineAsia trade shows.

Screentrade Magazine,
PO Box 144, Orpington, Kent BR6 6LZ, UK
email: info@screentrademagazine.co.uk
web: www.screentrademagazine.co.uk

Founded in 1989, IMS are now the largest independent producer of subtitles in the UK, producing high quality subtitles, audio description, signing and language translation for just about every kind of media: live broadcast, pre-recorded programmes, commercials, the Internet, DVD, video, and cinema.

IMS has offices in London, Newcastle and Wales with post production facilities ideally situated in the heart of the UK's Soho area.

Freeney Williams Limited (formerly Access Matters Limited) is one of the UK's leading disability and diversity consultancies and has been instrumental in the planning of the UK's 'accessible' cinema network. It provides a wide range of services to help organisations meet the obligations of the Disability Discrimination Act as well as associated diversity and equality based legislation.

Services include Training and Development, Access Audits, Website audits & Development, Policy Design & Development, Assistance in meeting the new Public Sector Duty to Promote Disability, Equality.

The Your Local Cinema.com service won two high-profile awards in 2009, voted for by the cinemagoing public: the British Telecom 'BT Remote Workers' Award' and the Daily Mail 'People's Choice' Enterprise Award. Furthermore, the service made the final three in the 'Best Arts Project' category of the National Lottery Awards, broadcast live on BBC1. If you voted for us - THANKS!

We are proud to work alongside colleagues in film distribution, cinema exhibition, technology companies and various groups representing people with hearing or sight loss to help ensure that the cinema experience can be enjoyed by all.

"My profoundly deaf mother had given up trying to lip-read movie stars years ago. At a subtitled show her eyes flickered into life. Two glorious hours and finally my mother and I have rekindled our cinema habit. She is now in her seventies, I'm approaching my forties. It may have been some time coming, but damn was it worth it!"

"My Granddad was a big film fan - Dad too - and I grew up with books and magazines on films and cinema in general. But being deaf, thanks to meningitis, I could never get the full cinema experience. My Granddad, also very deaf due to his advancing years, used to say it was better for people like us a hundred years ago when silent films were around as they had caption cards on the screen! I missed out on many films at the cinema, which I have since watched with subtitles on DVD. I believe that if my Granddad was alive today he'd be joining my Dad and me on our regular trips to the movies because captioned cinema has returned!"

"I know quite a few people who, like me, have become disabled in the prime of their lives. I served in Iraq, came home last year with permanent damage to my hearing. I can still enjoy music, it's just not as clear as it used to be. I find I now read a lot of song lyrics! Never really bothered before. Same with films. I can still enjoy them with a little 'assistance'. In this case, subtitles. I only go to the cinema now if the film is subtitled. Thankfully most are these days."

"Audio described cinema is wonderful, not just because it allows me to enjoy movies but to discuss them with sighted friends afterwards. Through cinema audio description, I have been able to follow up the recommendation of a friend who gushed about the beauty of the visuals in Volver. Conversely, I have been able to return the favour by plugging the striking images in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. It doesn't matter that I couldn't 'see' them - the description was so vivid that I can still imagine Brad Pitt shooting into the ice, causing a puff of smoke to rise, or Casey Affleck in a rocking chair. When accompanying sighted friends, I can enjoy the car chase in Casino Royale and the decapitation by helicopter blade in 28 Weeks Later, relying on my memories of being a sighted gorehound."

"With ageing, loss of some hearing or sight is inevitable. Access to film via subtitles and audio description is something that we may all appreciate eventually"

The UK leads the world in accessible cinema - subtitled and audio described films for people with hearing or sight loss. It is estimated that about nine million people in the UK have some level of hearing loss - one in seven of the population. Each year around 800 children are born in the UK with significant hearing loss while more than 700,000 people, including 34,000 children and young people, are severely or profoundly deaf. Every day another 100 people start to lose their sight and some two million have significant sight loss, the majority of them aged 65 and over.

Thanks to subtitles and audio description, people with hearing or sight loss can enjoy the cinema experience. Most UK cinemas, including all 3D and digitally-equipped sites, now have facilities for subtitles, and more than 300 have audio description facilities.

UK film distributors ensure that most popular releases are available in both audio described and subtitled versions for 35mm and digital release. Most cinemas utilise their access facilities regularly - every week there are more than 500 English language subtitled shows and thousands more audio described performances.

Cinema audio description is a recorded narration which explains, during gaps in the dialogue, what is happening on screen. It is delivered through wireless headphones so that only the wearer hears the commentary. One blind cinemagoer has likened the audio description experience to listening to a Harry Potter audio book, but with all the actors voicing their own parts and with the addition of the film's complete soundtrack - delivered in fabulous surround sound.

Cinema subtitles, displayed along the bottom of the screen, include the spoken text as well as descriptions (captions) of sounds such as 'door creaks', 'footsteps approaching', 'gunshot'. Only in 2009 was the technology developed to the point where subtitles could be overlaid on a 3D image. Until then, 3D cinema could not be experienced by people with hearing loss. The problem was always where to place the subtitles in the 3D space throughout the film: In front? Nearer the middle? At the back?

November 2009 saw the first 3D release with English language subtitles - Disney's A Christmas Carol. The Disney press release stated "Dickens' story was an innovative, socially responsible tale - a celebration of traditional Christmas-time values - family, sharing and charity. Disney believes in the same values, and has worked with the UK film industry and charities representing people with hearing or sight loss to ensure that the 3D cinema experience can be enjoyed by as many people as possible."

One profoundly deaf cinema-goer said: "I enjoyed 'A Christmas Carol' a lot. I would not have a clue what was being said without subtitles. I can hear well with my digital hearing aids, compared to many deaf people I know, but the unfamiliar oldie-style Dickensian words would have been lost on me without subtitles. I've missed so many 3D films because they were not subtitled so this has been a great experience for me".

A blind 'Avatar' viewer commented "After losing most of my sight four years ago I gave up on cinema - only to discover audio description some months later. I've since watched many more films. Watching 'Avatar' I felt just like one of the crowd, reacting with amazement just like the other people in the cinema. I actually felt like I had my vision back."

Throughout November and December, almost every capable cinema screened both these films with subtitles, many in 3D.

Phil Clapp, Cinema Exhibitors' Association said "The UK cinema has a justifiable reputation as the world-leader in the provision of accessible cinema to those with hearing or sight loss. Given the importance we all attach to digital 3D cinema going forward, this new development could not be more timely or welcome".

Most UK cinemas are now equipped with subtitle facilities and more than 300 with audio description facilities.

Subtitled and audio described cinema enables people with less than perfect hearing or vision to enjoy film, presented in its original, and best form - the cinema.

This service - 'Your Local Cinema .com' - is the only listings service created exclusively for accessible cinema.

It serves as a one stop shop both for the cinema industry and for public audiences interested in accessible screenings UK-wide, which are listed clearly each week. We have a weekly email newsletter, notifying thousands of people of accessible shows in their area and our database of people interested in accessible cinema continues to increase. If you would like to receive our bulletins, or if you run a cinema and would like to have your accessible shows publicised, please email us at subtitles@yourlocalcinema.com.