Nominations for New Media Awards 2005

Nathan Rhodes

Derek Brandon set up and run the site specifically to provide listings of all subtitled and audio-described films showing in the UK. He did this initially in an entirely voluntary capacity although now receives support from the UK Film Council and commercial cinema operators. It is difficult to decribe the impact this site has had. It currently list over 150 sites in the UK with timings for subtitled and audio-described showings of almost all new releases. Mike Freeney

RNID wishes to nominate the website www.yourlocalcinema.com for the accessibility award. The UK leads the world in ensuring that the cinema is accessible to people with a sensory disability, with regular subtitling and audio description of newly released English speaking films taking place at 130 cinemas in the UK. Further developments in accessibility are set to take place during 2005. Deaf and hard of hearing people (and people with a visual impairment) are now able to enjoy newly released films in cinemas in towns and cities across the UK. Every week thousands of people access www.yourlocalcinema.com to find out about newly released subtitled and audio described films which are being screened in their area. Many thousands of people also receive weekly email listings from the website. Although there are many reasons for the growth in cinema subtitling (and audio description)the growth in provision has been greatly assisted by a professional website that is constantly up to date and providing a UK-wide listings service. The website has also constantly developed and now even includes subtitled extracts of newly released films. Since the advent of 'talkies' in the 1920s the cinema has been inaccessible for deaf people and many hard of hearing people. The website www.yourlocalcinema.com has been at the centre of the revolution in access that is now taking place in the UK cinema industry. Mark Morris

Sorry, think I sent it already without filling this bit in! They raised a petition with thousands of names, calling for better access to cinemas for hearing or visually impaired people, and presented it to the cinema industry. It helped persuade the industry to make almost half of their cinemas accessible, with subtitle and audio description systems. Nathan Rhodes