The primary aim of the project is to develop film programs with adaptations for the deaf and hard of hearing, and for the blind and visually impaired. By the end of 2026, as many as 20 film events will be held in Cerknica, each accompanied by discussions on various topics. The films will be equipped for the deaf and hard of hearing with Slovenian subtitles and interpretation into Slovenian Sign Language, and for the blind and visually impaired with audio descriptions, which visitors will listen to on the headsets prepared for this purpose.
They also equipped the hall at the start of the project with an induction loop for users with hearing aids. The program will be for audiences of all ages. Admission to all film events will be a symbolic €1.
Snapshots from the first Barrier-free Cinema project event: We won't give up the playgrounds. Photo: KD Cerknica archive
Film events, which are a central part of the project, will normally take place on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM. The first, opening event was in September and was aimed at youth; in October, as part of the project on our screen they will screen the exceptionally funny drama JUTRI JE ŠE EN DAN. A discussion will follow the film with Prof. Dr. Darja Zaviršek from the Faculty of Social Work about the film's content and domestic violence, which will be interpreted into Slovene Sign Language. The discussion will be hosted by Sara Šabec. You are warmly invited to join us on Tuesday, 29 October, at 6 PM.
The Barrier-free Cinema project, however, brings together five partners. In addition to Cerknica Cultural Center, it also includes the Polish ZAMEK Cultural Center, Kino Elvire Popesco of the French Institute in Romania, the Hungarian Kino Tisza, and the Network of Slovak Film Clubs. The funds for implementation were obtained under the Creative Europe MEDIA programme.
In addition to film events, at the outset of the project, together with the partners we also conducted a survey with deaf and hard-of-hearing communities as well as blind and visually impaired people to prepare joint starting points within the partnership for designing film events with a focus on adaptations for the mentioned groups. At the conclusion of the project, through the exchange of experiences among the partners, a handbook will be prepared that will offer concrete techniques and adaptations to improve the experience in cinemas for deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind and visually impaired people and consequently enable more equitable access to film screenings.
We are pleased that our cultural center will be one of the first in Slovenia to enable a high-quality and equitable attendance at film screenings for those with poorer vision or hearing.
You are warmly invited to our Barrier-free Cinema project!
