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Sydney Film Festival raises curtain on access
The launch of the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) 2010 program reaffirms the commitment of this major cultural event to expanding access for people with disabilities.
In 2010 the festival will screen a selection of films with Open Captioning and Audio Description as well as providing Auslan interpretation for director Judy Erlich’s talk in the Statement Lounge following the June 14 screening of the The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers.
Open Captioning (dialogue in text form and features of the soundtrack such as sound effects and music are projected onto the screen so the whole audience can see it) will be available for
- This Way of Life (Dendy Opera Quays), Thursday June 3 at 4:30pm
- The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (Event Cinema 8 George Street), Monday June 14 at 12.30pm
Audio Description (a narration which explains what is happening visually) will be available for
- The Loved Ones (Event Cinema 9 George Street), Monday June 7 at 8:15pm
- The Waiting City (Event Cinema 9 George Street), Wednesday June 9 at 8:00pm
- The Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films (Event Cinema 5, 8 & 9 George Street), all ten finalists. See program for session details.
A quick round up of other access features provided for SFF patrons. . . The State Theatre
The main entrance of the State Theatre on Market Street is accessible for people using a wheelchair. There will be temporary ramp access to the Mezzanine Level.The State Theatre has six wheelchair accessible tickets available per session. These seats are situated on the Mezzanine Level and can be booked by contacting the SFF directly on 02 9690 5390. An accessible toilet is located next door. To access these facilities, please inform any staff member who will be happy to escort any patrons. Rest points are available in foyer and bathroom areas.The State Theatre has a hearing loop located in the centre two blocks of seating in the mezzanine. Please contact us directly on 02 9690 5390 for hearing loop accessibility.
Event Cinemas George StreetRamp access to Event Cinemas is available from the main entrance on George Street. Cinemas 8 and 9 used by the SFF are wheelchair accessible. There are between three and four tickets available for people using a wheelchair in each cinema. Accessible toilets are located a short distance from each cinema. Please notify staff of access needs when booking tickets.
Cinema 8 and 9 are hearing loop enabled – please see the SFF staff for locations that are best covered by the hearing loop. There are 13 wheelchair accessible parking spaces available at the Cinema Centre Car Park, located directly behind the complex and accessible from both Kent Street and Sussex Street.
Dendy Opera QuaysThere is lift access to the Cinema used by the SFF and it is wheelchair accessible. There are accessible toilets located a short distance from the cinema. Four tickets are available each session for people using a wheelchair.
The Cinema is hearing loop enabled – please see the SFF staff for locations that are best covered by the hearing loop.
The Art Gallery of NSWThe wheelchair entrance to the Gallery is at the rear via the service road on the southern side of the building, leading to security gates and the loading dock. Press the intercom for access. All areas inside the building can be accessed by ramps and two lifts. Wheelchair accessible toilets are located on lower level 1. There are four free dedicated disabled parking spaces: two at the front of the Gallery and two at the rear.
Sydney Opera HouseThere are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in all theatres. To request accessible seating call the Box Office on 02 9250 7777. There is a lift and stair climber lifts on entry into the Playhouse. Hearing loops are available in the back two rows of the Domain Theatre. Please contact Sydney Opera House directly on 02 9250 7175 for more information.
There are 11 accessible parking spaces on Level 1 and 12 spaces on Level 6 of the Wilson's Sydney Opera House Car Park, which is located at 2 Macquarie Street. Car spaces on Level 6 also have direct wheelchair access to lifts.
For details about the films screening with Open Captions and Audio Description visit the SFF website at www.sff.org.au. For film, venue and Festival information call 02 8205 8399. For SFF Box Office call 02 9690 5390. For iPhone app SFF2010.
MEDIA CONTACT: Tracylee Arestides, Marketing & Media Coordinator Tel: 02 9251 6499 ext 101 M: 0425 208 521 E: marketing@aarts.net.au