Media Releases
Human Rights Commissioner to Launch Accessible Cinema
Mr Graeme Innes AM, Human Rights and Disability Discrimination Commissioner has been confirmed today to launch the Accessible Cinema program strand along with Clare Stewart, Director of the Sydney Film Festival this Friday 6th June 2008 at the lavish State Theatre in Sydney.
Lawyer, mediator and company director, Graeme Innes pioneered the blind community as the first Blind President of the Royal Blind Society of NSW and the first chair of Vision Australia, Australia’s largest national blindness agency. The launch will make for compelling viewing of a strong program within the Festival that deals with people who have a disability, ranging from autism to deafness. The film line-up kicks off with the Australian premiere of the Cannes award-winning film Her Name is Sabine (Elle S’appelle Sabine). A beautiful and moving film by French actor Sandrine Bonnaire, documents the moving story of her younger sister, Sabine, whose autism was undiagnosed for almost 30 years.
The Sydney Film Festival, in partnership with Accessible Arts NSW, have built upon the success of last year’s program by incorporating a forum entitled Silence is Golden which will give the community an opportunity to discuss and debate the future of accessible cinema.
The CEO of Accessible Arts, Sancha Donald said "we are thrilled to be working with the Sydney Film Festival in providing a platform for debate for the 1 in 5 Australians who have a disability. Access to the arts, and in particular to cinema can be extremely difficult for people with disabilities. We have found improving access through audio description, Auslan interpretation and captioned screenings, and incorporating films representing people a disability, benefits the whole community.” (Sancha Donald, CEO, Accessible Arts)
Forum: Silence is Golden? (17th June 12:30pm – Reel Room, State Theatre) Many Australians derive pleasure from going to the cinema, yet for over three million people this experience cannot be shared. This forum is not to be missed. Innovative ways to increase access to films for audience members with hearing and vision impairments will be discussed with venue, cinema, film and arts industry and disability representatives. Hosted by Alex Varley (CEO of Media Access Australia) with panellists: Leanne Emerson (General Manager, Production and Digital Operations, Roadshow Entertainment); Tony Oldham (Operations Manager, Atlab Australia); Alex Jones (Chairman Deafness Forum of Australia Linda Baker and Michael Gold (Access Services, Red Bee Media Australia); and others to be announced. All talks and forums are FREE!
Launch Date: Friday 6th June 2008
Time: 2:50pm
Address: State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Web: www.statetheatre.com.au
Access: Speeches will be Auslan interpreted and the film Her Name is Sabine will be subtitled.
The 55th Sydney Film Festival will run from the 4 - 22 June 2008. To view the Accessible Cinema program and venue access information, visit www.sydneyfilmfestival.org and go to the Accessible Cinema link on the program page.
TICKETS
Tickets and Flexipass are available for purchase on the Sydney Film Festival website (www.sydneyfilmfestival.org). Select the movie you are interested in and click 'Buy Tickets' or you can contact Ticketmaster via phone on 136 100. For specific access requirements in order to purchase your tickets such as booking an audio description head set or a wheelchair accessible seat, please contact the Sydney Film Festival for further information via ph 02 9318 0999, fax 02 9319 0055 or email info@sydneyfilmfestival.org.
About Accessible Arts
Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation across New South Wales. Accessible Arts promotes and provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in arts and cultural activities either as audience members; through attending galleries, theatres, museums and festivals; or as participants in art, drama, music, dance and multimedia activities; and by developing as professional artists. Over the years Accessible Arts has worked in assisting arts organisations such as Sydney Opera House, Sydney Art Fair, Biennale of Sydney and Sydney Film Festival. To keep up to date with upcoming news and arts events subscribe to the free Accessible Arts monthly newsletter.
For further information, images or media enquiries:
Contact Accessible Arts on 02 9251 6499 or Sydney Film Festival on 02 9318 0999.
Alison McLaren: 02 9251 6499 (ext. 6) Email: amclaren@aarts.net.au
Nadia de Ceglie: 0414 741 089 Email: ndeceglie@aarts.net.au
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