Access at the festival

We’re committed to ensuring that the festival is as inclusive and accessible as possible. We offer a number of accessible screenings, Q&As and events, and will make reasonable efforts to meet any additional requirements within available resources.

Accessible screenings / events in person

Cinema screenings for customers who are D/deaf or hard of hearing:

CC

Closed Caption (CC) subtitles – English language films with English subtitles and descriptions of non-dialogue audio.

Find out more

BSL

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted introductions, Q&As and events – seats are allocated close to the interpreter.

Find out more

Cinema screenings for customers who are blind or partially-sighted:

AD

Films with an audio-description soundtrack. Headphones available on request.

Find out more

Accessible screenings / events online

English-language features and shorts on BFI Player will be made accessible with:

  • Closed caption subtitles, including descriptions of non-dialogue audio, for customers who are D/deaf or hard of hearing
  • Audio description for customers who are blind or partially sighted

All pre-recorded introductions, Q&As, Screen Talks and events will have subtitles.

CC – BFI Player

Films on BFI Player with closed captions for customers who are D/deaf or hard of hearing.

Find out more

AD – BFI Player

Films on BFI Player with an audio-description soundtrack for customers who are blind or partially sighted.

Find out more

For access details of short films on BFI Player please see individual shorts programmes for details.

Access tickets

A limited number of tickets have been ring-fenced for customers with specific seating requirements, including aisle seats for guests with restricted mobility.

How to book

Email box.office@bfi.org.uk
Call the Box Office 020 7960 2102 (lines open 10:30-21:30 daily*) and quote ACCESS
*From Wednesday 6 October to Sunday 17 October

Access tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and are subject to BFI Membership priority booking periods.

For more information about our festival venues across the UK, see our LFF venues page.

Subtitled screenings

You might also be interested in our subtitled screenings – these screenings include films with English subtitles throughout, films with partial English subtitles, and films with no dialogue.

CEA cardholders

We welcome CEA Cardholders. The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association. It enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to accompany them when they visit a participating cinema.

Wheelchair / step-free access

For more information on access facilities at each cinema, visit our LFF venues page or contact the Box Office.

Digital brochure

Our digital brochure is compatible with most screen readers. Please contact the Box Office for a large-print version.

Content and trigger warnings

Please see individual programme pages for information about content and trigger warnings.

A safe space

The festival is a place for everyone. If you are feeling uncomfortable, overwhelmed or just in need of a quiet moment, please ask one of the Front of House staff and they’ll be happy to help you.

26 Leake Street

For details of access for this venue please see our 26 Leake Street Access page.

Using VR headsets

Visit the Oculus safety centre for more on the safe use of VR headsets.