Accessibility
AG Kurzfilm services for the industry
© www.karlsruhefoto.de / Denis Kotscherow
Accessibility is a key component of cultural participation — including in the field of short films. In order for films to be accessible to people with visual or hearing impairments, specific elements such as audio descriptions, subtitles for the hearing impaired (closed captions), or sign language versions are required. AG Kurzfilm is committed to making this kind of accessibility a bigger part of short film production, distribution, and presentation, and supports the industry with practical services.
An important part of this commitment is the adOHRi app, which enables cinema-goers with visual impairments to listen to audio descriptions synchronized with the film on their own smartphones – easily and independently of any playback device in the cinema. To ensure smooth operation in the cinema, AG Kurzfilm provides the adOHRi transmitter, which transmits the signal for the audio description. Cinema operators receive technical information and practical support for implementation on site. More information can be found here.
In addition, AG Kurzfilm is continuously working on compiling and maintaining a collection of short films with existing accessible elements. This overview includes films that are available with audio description, subtitles for the hearing impaired (closed captions), or sign language, for example. The aim is to make it easier for curators, distributors, and event organizers to access accessible content and to make existing material visible.
In addition, a collection of curated accessible short film programs is being created, which is also aimed at professionals. It offers concrete suggestions for program work and can serve as a basis for events, cinema screenings, or festival programs. Both collections — the individual titles with accessible versions and the curated program suggestions—are intended to help plan and implement accessible offers in the short film sector more efficiently.
With these measures, AG Kurzfilm aims to contribute to establishing accessibility as a natural part of short film culture in the long term and to actively help shape the structural conditions for greater participation on the part of the industry.
An important part of this commitment is the adOHRi app, which enables cinema-goers with visual impairments to listen to audio descriptions synchronized with the film on their own smartphones – easily and independently of any playback device in the cinema. To ensure smooth operation in the cinema, AG Kurzfilm provides the adOHRi transmitter, which transmits the signal for the audio description. Cinema operators receive technical information and practical support for implementation on site. More information can be found here.
In addition, AG Kurzfilm is continuously working on compiling and maintaining a collection of short films with existing accessible elements. This overview includes films that are available with audio description, subtitles for the hearing impaired (closed captions), or sign language, for example. The aim is to make it easier for curators, distributors, and event organizers to access accessible content and to make existing material visible.
In addition, a collection of curated accessible short film programs is being created, which is also aimed at professionals. It offers concrete suggestions for program work and can serve as a basis for events, cinema screenings, or festival programs. Both collections — the individual titles with accessible versions and the curated program suggestions—are intended to help plan and implement accessible offers in the short film sector more efficiently.
With these measures, AG Kurzfilm aims to contribute to establishing accessibility as a natural part of short film culture in the long term and to actively help shape the structural conditions for greater participation on the part of the industry.