To cater to the cinema viewing needs of Divyang individuals, the government has notified Accessibility Standards Guidelines for the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres. These guidelines are clear and comprehensive. “The timeline given for implementation is fair, and the associated costs are not prohibitive,” said Senthil Kumar, co-founder of Qube Cinema Technologies, during a masterclass on Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres: The Question of Accessibility. The session was held at Kala Academy, Goa, on the sidelines of IFFI 2024.

Shri Kumar is also a member of the Production and Technology Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Shri Kumar, speaking on the occasion, discussed the technical and creative aspects of providing closed captions for Divyang audiences. He emphasized the need for balance in audio descriptions, noting that excessive narration can distract viewers, while insufficient description fails to convey the on-screen action effectively. Typically, about 15% of a film is explained through audio descriptions for Divyang individuals.

He also highlighted various accessibility features, including Closed Captioning Devices and Audio Description Services, designed to enhance the cinema experience for all.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has envisioned that “Special attention is being given to opportunity and accessibility for Divyangjan. It is our endeavour to ensure that every individual in the country is empowered, an inclusive society is created, spirit of equality and cooperation enhances harmony in the society and everybody progresses together as one.” In line with this vision, in March 2024, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) issued the “Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres” to benefit persons with hearing and visual impairments.

Shri Kumar also elaborated these guidelines about accessibility features introduced by government. “Accessibility is not a feature it is a social imperative”, he concluded.

Read more on Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres below:

Key features of Accessibility Standards include:

Ensuring Accessibility of films to Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment
All feature films that are to be certified in more than one language to comply with the guidelines within 6 months and all others within 2 years
At least one accessibility feature each for the hearing impaired and visually impaired viz. Closed Captioning & Audio Description
Accessible features to be deployed by licensees of the cinema theatre by using customised equipment in theatres or Mobile Apps or other available technologies during the regular show
Applicable for feature films that are for public exhibition in cinema halls/movie theatres for commercial purposes.
Accessibility standards have not just been defined for film content, but also on assistive devices and theatre infrastructure, incorporating global best practices to prescribe the accessibility needed by persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment, to enjoy films in cinema theatres.
Mandatory Accessibility Features: at least one accessibility feature each for the hearing impaired and visually impaired, i.e. AD & CC/OC
“Audio Description” is the auditory narration of visual representations in a film for enhancing the film watching experience for visually impaired persons. During gaps in dialogue, it describes visual elements such as scenes, settings, actions and costumes.
“Closed captioning” is the means by which both the audio dialogue and sound representations of a film are made visible on demand by the user via on-screen text that is synchronized with the audio content.
Additional Accessibility Features:
“Indian Sign Language” Indian Sign Language interpretation by Interpreters must be provided in a picture-in-picture mode and it must be accurate, synchronized and convey clear message to the hearing impaired.
Film producer required to deliver the film for certification to CBFC along with files of accessibility features.
Implementation schedule –
All feature films that are to be certified in more than one language to comply with the guidelines within 6 months and all others within 2 years
Starting January 1st, 2025, films submitted for prestigious events like the National Film Awards & International Film Festival will also need to comply to these.
Accessible features may be deployed by cinema theatre by any of the following means:
Using the following separate equipment in theatres (during the regular show) such as Mirror Captions, Closed Captioning Smart Glasses, Closed Caption Stands, Closed Caption display below the Screen or Headphones/Earphones for Audio Description (AD), etc.
Using Mobile Apps (during the regular show) –Film producers to integrate the CC/OC & AD for the feature film in any suitable software application to extend the accessibility feature in any usual screening of the film in the theatres, which can be used through the personal device of the user.
Using other technologies: Use of any other technological inputs as supportive/assistive devices and software applications as available in the market.
Important Links

Qube Cinema APP
Government notifies the Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in Feature Films in Cinema Theatres
Greta App for Captions and Audio Description
XL cinema APP

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