Films to be accessible to persons with disabilities

• Ministry says new guidelines aimed at enhancing accessibility standards for the public exhibition of feature films in cinema theatres for persons with hearing and visual impairment

Highlights:

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has successfully deployed the "Accessibility Standards" module in the E-Cinepramaan system.
• This feature enables filmmakers to submit their films with the necessary accessibility features to cater to the hearing and visually impaired, as per the guidelines provided by the Ministry.

Effective Date for Guidelines:

• The Ministry set September 15, 2024, as the effective date for the implementation of these accessibility guidelines, marking a significant step toward inclusive cinema.

New Guidelines for Inclusivity:

• In an Office Memorandum dated March 15, 2024, the Ministry issued guidelines aimed at making cinema more inclusive for persons with disabilities. These guidelines focus on enhancing accessibility standards for feature films exhibited in public cinemas.

Scope of Application:

• The guidelines apply to all feature films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for commercial screening in cinema halls.
• Films certified in more than one language are required to include at least one accessibility feature each for both the hearing impaired and visually impaired.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)