We believe that everyone should be able to come to the cinema and enjoy their favourite films or delight in trying something different. That’s why we have decided to highlight some of our member venues and community cinemas in the Midlands that are leading the way in improving inclusion and accessibility in film.
Below, we have shortlisted some screenings that offer accessibility accommodations.
As you will see, each cinema uses different terms to describe their screenings, which may cause confusion for both operations and audiences. To clarify, we have explained some of the terminology below:
- Descriptive Subtitles (DS) transcribe the dialogue as well as descriptions of important aspects of a film’s soundtrack, such as sound effects, noises, and music. DS are also known as Captions, HOH, or SDH. Examples of DS include: [Unsettling music playing] or [Door slams].
- Audio Description (AD) is an additional audio track that describes visual information, such as body language, movements, and locations, allowing people who cannot see the screen to hear a description of the action. In cinemas, this is typically delivered through headsets that can be collected from the box office.
- Accessible Screenings is a generic term for screenings that cater to audiences with access needs, such as descriptive subtitles (or captioned), audio-described, and relaxed screenings.
- Dementia-Friendly Screenings can include an introduction to the film, relaxed start times, no adverts before the film, the ability to reserve wheelchairs, and a quiet space, which may include a live relay of the screening. Each cinema may approach this differently, so be sure to double-check what each cinema provides. Other terms include “silver screen” and “early doors.”
- Relaxed Screenings is an umbrella term. Screenings intended for neurodiverse audiences may not be suitable for those with dementia or a learning disability. It’s important to provide accompanying context and specific information about the access provisions. The choice of programming may also be thoughtfully considered for a relaxed screening, depending on the intended audience. (Note: Be sure to consult with individuals with lived experience and expertise in facilitating the format of the relaxed screening you wish to provide.)
For more information please read the BFI FAN:Access Directory by Charlie Little.
As part of their role, as BFI FAN’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion, Charlie has also created a bulletin that brings together recent news articles, events, projects, and resources related to film sector accessibility. You can read July’s bulletin here.
Find below a collection of the available accessible screenings across the Midlands. This is broken down by venue and the types of screenings available.
Touch Screen at Midlands Arts Centre
PHOENIX CINEMA
Phoenix Cinema offers Autism-Friendly, Relaxed Screenings, Cinema Bambino (every Thursday) for parents and carers with babies under 12 months old, and films with Descriptive subtitles. You can find out more on their Access Cinema page.
Derby QUAD offers Relaxed, Dementia Friendly, and Descriptive subtitled screenings. They also have a Cinebabies membership for parents and carers with babies under twelve months old. QUAD is proud to be an accredited CredAbility Provider and a CredAbility Verified Accessible building.
QUAD also offers relaxed support groups outside of their cinema programme including the weekly GoldsQuad workshops for anyone aged 50+ interested in trying new challenges in a supportive environment and the bi-weekly friendly and relaxed craft activity group Mindful Crafts delivered in partnership with Derbyshire Mind.
MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE
Midlands Arts Centre offers a plethora of Audio Described, Relaxed Screenings and Descriptive Subtitles on their film programme and BSL Interpretations on live performances, where a translator will stand to the side of the stage and interpret the characters’ dialogue for the audience. Find out more about their accessible events here.
Midlands Arts Centre is being supported by Film Hub Midlands to grow their Expand the Frame three year project. Expand the Frame gives Midlands Arts Centre the opportunity to pilot new programmes and events to ensure that disabled people can experience film in an accessible environment, as well as seeing themselves reflected on screen. The project includes Touch Screen, which is monthly relaxed screenings where audiences are invited to touch, smell and feel their way through a collection of shorts.
Check the full programme of their Relaxed Screenings and films with Descriptive Subtitles and Audio Descriptions
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
Chapter House Cinema
Showing an eclectic selection of classic films in partnership with Action Rayz. Family favourites are also shown in the Let's Watch and Make screenings.
BROADWAY CINEMA
Broadway Cinema has a number of Captioned screenings. They also have Supportive Environment screenings that have adapted to be more welcoming and accessible to people with additional needs, such as autism, ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions. Broadway Cinema also offers a weekly Silver Screen film
which are matinées programmed with senior customers in mind.
REGAL CINEMA
Regal Cinema offers Captioned & Relaxed screenings for Deaf/disabled and neurodiverse audiences. These screenings are open to anyone that would benefit from closed captions and a more relaxed environment.
MALVERN THEATRES
Malvern Theatres have expanded their regular and accessible screenings since the completion of their new space ‘Studio One’. The venue is fully accessible by lift, and the building has a Changing Places facility. Discover their films with Descriptive Subtitles and Relaxed Screenings through their cinema listings. Some of Malvern Theatres screenings are available with Audio Description (AD) as well.
WEM TOWN HALL
Wem Town Hall has a number of Relaxed Screenings for kids and families over the summer.
Members Meet-Up
Thursday 24 October, 11:00 - 14:30.
RSVP BY 30 September!
Interested in developing your accessibility practice for your venue or community cinema? Whether you are new to accessible screenings or have been providing them for a while there is always something new to learn.
Don’t miss our next Members Meet-Up at the wonderful Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on Thursday 24 October, 11:00 - 14:30 where we will be hosting sessions and activities addressing improving accessibility for cinemas.
Activities include:
- Access in Arts presentation with Katie Anna McConnell (Artistic Access Consultant)
A session on Opening Up Access’ with Grace O’Malley (Access Advocate at Open Theatre) and Liz Leck (Freelance Access Adviser).
Please note the event is for Film Hub Midlands members only who work in film exhibition.
Find out the full programme and RSVP here!
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Interested in improving your access or having a chat about an access audit? Get in touch with our Membership Coordinator Eirini at eirini@filmhubmidlands.org to arrange a 1-2-1 meeting or request access templates or resources.
If you are a Film Hub Midlands member that offers accessible screenings in the Midlands that we haven't included or one that we have and you have more to say, please get in touch with Hope Broadway’s Projects Marketing Coordinator - h.cook@broadway.org.uk. We'd love to include you!
If you need any further adjustments or have additional requests, feel free to let us know!