Access Cinema Launch

Leicester’s Phoenix cinema and art centre is reaching out to people with learning and physical disabilities in the city and county with a series of specialized screenings.

The Access Cinema project, funded by Creative England, the British Film Institute and Leicester City Council, will see the Midland Street cinema show a series of films for people in an environment specially tailored to their needs.

The project will include subtitled screenings for people who are deaf and hearing impaired, audio-described screenings for the blind or partially sighted, and supported environment screenings for people with learning disabilities.

Access Cinema is a new scheme being developed by Phoenix, and staff are working with local charities such as Deaf Action, Voluntary Action Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership Trust on the programme.

Service users can suggest the films they would like to watch and the event aims to become a regular fixture on the social calendar for many charities, disabled people and their carers who can watch a film and use the venue to socialise. The programme will initially run from May to September.

The scheme starts this week with its first supported environment screening for people with learning disabilities on Tuesday 14th May at 10am with a screening of Jerry Rothwell’s 2008 film Heavy Load, a film which looks at a year in the life of a punk band, whose members include some musicians with learning disabilities.

John Rance, CEO of Phoenix said: “The programme will make Phoenix a destination for for people of differing access needs and their carers to socialise and have fun. Phoenix is a venue open to everyone, to celebrate the diversity of not just the city but the individuals who come to enjoy our programme.”

As part of the programme, medics and students from Leicester NHS Partnership will also be using the Phoenix to hold film screenings and seminars, while voluntary groups are also planning regular meet-ups in the Phoenix’s cafebar.

For the full Access Cinema line-up, please visit www.phoenix.org.uk
Tickets are £4.00 each with a free carers ticket for those carrying the CEA card. Tickets are available from the Phoenix box office on 0116 242 2800 or online at www.phoenix.org.uk. Info on CEA cards can be found at http://www.cinemauk.org.uk/

About Phoenix

Phoenix is a multi-screen cinema, digital art gallery and café bar in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter. Phoenix is a registered charity which aims to bring inspirational film and art to all. More information is at www.phoenix.org.uk Phoenix is on Twitter @PhoenixLeic and on facebook.com/phoenixsquare

For more information contact:
Alexzandra Jackson
Education Coordinator
Email: jake.harvey@phoenix.org.uk
Tel: 0116 242 2800