This page contains all Fest accessibility information and, when the schedule is announced, we will list the film screenings with ASL interpretation and accessibility features below. Each and every year we strive to make the Fest more accessible and are excited to continue offering accessibility features including audio description, closed captioning, open captioning, and ASL interpretation for an increasing number of films.
QUESTIONS? For more information about festival accessibility or to request accommodations, please contact Accessibility Coordinator Alix Towler at [email protected]
Accessible Parking
The City of Columbia will waive the hourly limit for accessible metered parking during the festival to accommodate those who want to grab a bite and catch a show (note that ADA hang tags will continue to be enforced, and normal parking meter fees apply).
Venue Accessibility
All film and public special event venues have wheelchair accessible entries, exits, restrooms, and access to Fest-provided drinking water stations. Festival staff are happy to provide needed assistance, and venue management (Venue Captains and Assistant Venue Captains) are specifically trained to provide exceptional assistance for persons with disabilities. For assistance, please check in with venue staff when you arrive at the venue. Persons with disabilities may arrive at a venue and/or enter a venue early if needed, either to be seated (if you have a ticket) or to wait in a seat in the lobby if you are using the Q.
Wheelchair Seating
All venues have wheelchair seating available. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Check in with the Venue Captain when you arrive at the venue. Limited accessible seating is available at Rhynsburger Theater, Missouri Theatre, and Ragtag Cinema, while other venues have more movable seating options. Companion seating is available at all theaters; all companions must have a ticket or use the Q.
Assisted Listening Devices/Audio Description
All film venues provide a limited number of assisted listening devices for audio amplification and audio description. Devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To access listening devices, check in with venue staff when you arrive. If you anticipate using an assisted listening device, we recommend reaching out to us before the Fest so we can reserve a device for you.
All films at all venues are available for amplified audio on accessibility devices.
Due to the nature of independent filmmaking, most films shown at the Fest do not provide audio description.
FILMS WITH AUDIO DESCRIPTION:
Phenomena
Soul Patrol
TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing
The Eyes of Ghana
True North
Captioning + Subtitles
Films with open (on screen) captions will have one screening dedicated to open captioning when possible. The films with available open and closed captioning will be listed below as soon as they are available.
OPEN CAPTION SCREENINGS:
Mar 6 / 12:45 pm / 34a – Tropical Park @ Willy Wilson @ Ragtag
Mar 6 / 1:15 pm / 21b – Nuisance Bear @ Missouri Theatre
Mar 7 / 12:00 pm / 34b – Tropical Park @ The Globe
Mar 7 / 3:00 pm / 06b – American Doctor @ Missouri Theatre
Mar 7 / 5:00 pm / 31b – Soul Patrol @ The Picturehouse
Mar 8 / 9:00 am / 04c – Aanikoobijigan @ The Picturehouse
Mar 8 / 12:15 pm / 07c – Barbara Forever @ Big Ragtag
Mar 8 / 9:00 pm / 34c – Tropical Park @ The Globe
Mar 8 / 9:00 pm / 36b – True North @ Big Ragtag
All film venues offer personal closed-captioning devices. These devices are equipped with high-contrast displays and easy-to-read handheld screens and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These films are noted below. Please note that not all films will have closed captioning. See a Venue Captain to obtain and set up a device.
FILMS WITH CLOSED CAPTIONS:
Aanikoobijigan
American Doctor
First They Came For My College
Nuisance Bear
Phenomena
Pinball
Seized
Sons of Detroit
Soul Patrol
The Oldest Person in the World
True North
Because of the large number of foreign-language films that we program each year, a significant portion of the festival films are subtitled. Please note that these films are subtitled, not captioned. These films are also listed below.
FILMS WITH SUBTITLES:
Features
Always
Closure
Cuidadoras (Care)
Hair, Paper, Water…
Jaripeo
Powwow People
The Queen and the Smokehouse
What Comes from Sitting in Silence?
Shorts
An Impossible Address
Ancestral Knowledge
Auto Queens
Gatorville
High-Rise Pigs
JISM(body)
L’mina
Land of Cold
No Mean City
Páa’tenehu (Wait for Me)
Included here is a recent map that highlights the venues with assisted listening devices, indicate where the main entrance is for each venue, and in those cases where the main entrance is not accessible, we will note where the accessible entrance is located. Click here for a downloadable PDF. This map will be also available in our program booklet, for easy access during the festival weekend.
ASL Interpretation
We offer sign language interpretation at select festival Q&As and events; those screenings and events are listed below.
SCREENINGS/EVENTS WITH ASL INTERPRETATION FOR INTROS & Q&AS:
Mar 6 / 1:15 pm / 21b – Nuisance Bear @ Missouri Theatre
Mar 7 / 9:00 am / 12b – Cuidadoras (Care) @ Willy Wilson @ Ragtag
Mar 7 / 3:00 pm / 06b – American Doctor @ Missouri Theatre