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The Your Local Cinema .com listings & information service is an award winning social enterprise, fully supported and funded by the UK film industry. It exists to meet the needs of a niche, specialist audience - film fans with hearing or sight loss that need assistance to enjoy the cinema experience. Not just our ageing society, but people of all ages. Profit plays no role as an incentive. Social benefits such as equality, inclusion and community integration are the goals. The positive feedback received from those helped provides the motivation to continue the passionate, dedicated work. (Feedback here) Your Local Cinema .com is extremely grateful for any support, whether it be financial or in-kind. Taking costs out of the organisation is, in many ways, just as important as bringing funds in. Sponsors and media partners make a valuable contribution, allowing further development of the service, helping to attract new audiences, and maximising the output from administrative effort. In-kind sponsors of all types are welcome - be they product or service oriented, whether they aid the service itself or the marketing and administration behind it. Without sponsorship support, the service would simply not be able to operate. You can read about the sponsors of Your Local Cinema .com and visit their websites below.
British Film Institute The BFI is the lead body for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by: Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema; Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations; Championing emerging and world class film makers in the UK; Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work; Promoting British film and talent to the world; Growing the next generation of film makers and audiences. (Previously the UK Film Council was the strategic agency for film in the UK). 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. British Film Institute
All Industry Marketing AIM is the generic marketing agency for UK cinema and has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2004. 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.
Film Distributors' Association FDA is the trade body representing UK theatrical film distributors and has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2004. 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 around 1,000 films with subtitles and/or audio description. The range of 'accessible' titles rises week by week. FDA
Cinema Exhibitors' Association 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. It has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2004. 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 loss. The CEA has been instrumental in helping with the planning of the UK Film Councils' pioneering 2003 Cinema Access Programme. CEA
ITFC itfc is a leading provider of subtitling and audio description to the entertainment industry and is proud to have sponsored the Your Local Cinema .com service since 2004. Thousands of UK cinema releases have been made accessible with subtitles and audio description and most were prepared by itfc. The company also produces cinema trailers promoting cinema access and subtitles (English for Hard of Hearing and translation) and audio description for major broadcasters and many other content owners. itfc's other main business areas are content preparation and digital media management services.
Sound Associates Sound Associates, the longest established UK cinema sound and projection integrator, has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2011. The company has been at the forefront of installing equipment in support of disability access to cinemas and continues to work with the major cinema operators, the independent exhibitors and a range of other venues. As more cinemas move to digital projection and sound technology, Sound Associates continues to install and maintain the equipment required to assist people with hearing or sight loss to enjoy the cinema experience. The company is an authorised dealer or distributor for all major cinema industry manufacturers and suppliers – including digital cinema projectors and servers, 3D systems, sound systems and all of the support services. Sound Associates
DTS Europe Ltd DTS Europe Ltd is dedicated to bringing the movie going experience to all audiences and has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2004. 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. DTS Europe Ltd
Dolby Laboratories, Inc Dolby Laboratories has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2004. Dolby 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. Dolby
IMS - Independent Media Support Ltd. Founded in 1989, IMS are now the largest independent producer of subtitles in the UK and has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially since 2011. IMS produces 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. IMS
Pearl & Dean 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! Pearl & Dean Cinemas Ltd
Arts Alliance 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. All digital cinema installs can broadcast subtitles and audio description. AADC has also helped to produce and distribute cinema trailers promoting accessible cinema. Arts Alliance Media
Cobweb Solutions 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. Cobweb Solutions, South Wing, Delme Place, Cams Hall Estate, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8UX
IFDNRG IFDNRG web and video servers power the subtitled & audio described trailers on our website, as well as 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. IFDNRG
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,
NDCS - National Deaf Children's Society 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. It has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially in the past, and has helped to create awareness of accessible cinema nationwide since 2004 NDCS
Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) "Changing the world for deaf and hard of hearing people" Action on Action on Hearing Loss
RNIB - Royal National Institute of Blind People "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. It has supported the Your Local Cinema .com service financially in the past, and has helped to create awareness of accessible cinema nationwide since 2004 RNIB
Freeney Williams Ltd. 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. Freeney Williams Ltd.
"With ageing, loss of some hearing or sight is inevitable. Subtitled and audio described (narrated) cinema enables people with hearing or sight loss to enjoy film presented in its original and best form - the cinema. The Your Local Cinema .com website & information service exists to create nationwide awareness of - and build audiences for - subtitled & audio described films & shows. Cinema subtitles, displayed along the bottom of the screen, include the spoken text as well as descriptions of sounds such as 'door creaks', 'footsteps approaching', 'gunshot'. "I enjoyed A Christmas Carol a lot. 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." Cinema audio description is a recorded narration, delivered through wireless headphones, which explains, during gaps in the dialogue, what is happening on screen. "The cinema audio description experience is like 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" It's the accessible cinema experience:
An award winning service. The Your Local Cinema .com website & information service has been successful in winning some high-profile awards voted for by the public. Winning awards helps to spread awareness of 'accessible' cinema.
Awards:
This year the service won the Barco 'Innovation in Cinema' award at the annual Raam Awards in London. The Raam Awards recognise and reward the efforts & achievements of people working in the film industry.
The British Telecom 'BT Remote Workers' Award' which honours people who manage to run a successful business without an office, using mobile technology. Judges selected the winner based on the company that demonstrated how remote working had created the greatest positive impact.
The Daily Mail 'People's Choice' Enterprise Award. The event, hosted by the Institute of Directors, recognises people who have turned their ideas into reality. Thousands of people, including readers of the Daily Mail newspaper voted for the twenty finalists, and Your Local Cinema .com received the most votes overall.
The service beat hundreds of projects, with many thousands of votes, to make the final three in the 'Best Arts Project' category of the National Lottery Awards. The Awards recognise the difference that lottery funded projects have made to local communities. The ceremony was broadcast live, primetime, on BBC1, exposing millions of people to accessible cinema. Your Local Cinema .com is 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.
In recent years, the progress made in the 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. Some two million have significant sight loss and every day another 100 people start to lose their sight. Before 2000, the only way people with severe hearing loss could enjoy cinema was to watch a foreign-language film. And people with severe sight loss would never dream of visiting a cinema. Today people with any level of hearing or sight loss can enjoy the popular social activity of a trip to the cinema. Every digital-equipped cinema can enable film fans with hearing loss to enjoy the big screen experience. Subtitle facilities are built-in. More than 300 can broadcast an audio described soundtrack (a compatible infra-red system and wireless headphones are required). UK distributors ensure that subtitle and audio description files are available for most popular film releases - including 3D releases. Note: Subtitled 3D films sometimes require a separate DCP, available from the films' distributor. Every week exhibitors screen almost 1,000 English-language subtitled shows nationwide, and thousands more audio described performances. For people with hearing or sight loss, cinema is not the out of bounds social activity of the past, but is now a very accessible, welcoming, exciting, day or night out with family or friends. In 2012/13, developments in digital cinema technology are expected to bring exciting opportunities for people with hearing or sight loss.
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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
Another satisfied customer! 'Accessible' cinema has made a huge difference to the lives of cinema-goers with hearing or sight loss. Below is a selection of quotes and reports from people who have discovered - or rediscovered - the joys of cinema-going, thanks to subtitles and audio description.
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"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!"
