A REGIONAL film festival is hoping to reach out to new audiences as its 21st edition swings into Oswestry in less than three weeks.
The Borderlines Film Festival, he UK’s largest rural film festival, has put accessibility to the fore this year across the 2,000 square miles covered by its 22 far-flung venues, including the Kinokulture Community Cinema in Oswestry.
Captioned screenings for D/deaf audiences are available for nine of the titles, while BSL interpretation is also available on request for screenings with guest speakers, alongside audio description for the visually impaired.
This year, Borderlines has commissioned RepCinema.com to produce a customised scheduler to help its audience navigate this complex, multi-venue festival and they said that these devised schedules have huge access advantages.
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Relaxed screenings are specially designed for those who would appreciate a less formal cinema environment.
They are open to everyone but may benefit individuals with autism spectrum conditions, learning difficulties or sensory and communication difficulties.
These screenings are identifiable by some adjustments such as altered lighting, lower sound volume, extra time to settle in the cinema, no trailers, and with cinema goers able to get up and move around, speak or make noise.
Screenings are introduced so everyone knows talking and movement are allowed.
Festival director Naomi Vera-Sanso added: "A film festival is an occasion for people to come together and share an experience on the big screen.
"Our aim is to widen our appeal and make the films we offer inclusive for everyone.
"Borderlines is not just for cinephiles, it’s about communities."
Most venues offer complimentary or discounted tickets for carers.
Borderlines is supported by the BFI Audience Fund, using National Lottery funding, by the Elmley Foundation and Hereford City Council.
Tickets and passes for the festival are now on sale for all venues via borderlinesfilmfestival.org, in person or by phone through The Courtyard Hereford (01432 340555) or directly from other venues.
To contact Kinokulture visit www.kinokulture.org.uk or call 01691 238167.
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