Earlier this week, on Wednesday, December 3 (International Day of Persons with Disabilities), a chilly yet sunny morning in Beijing, capital of the Chinese mainland, set the stage for a one-of-a-kind movie screening. Instead of just watching, about 40 attendees—including people with various disabilities—"experienced" the street dance hit One and Only through detailed audio descriptions, thanks to Guangming Cinema’s volunteer team. 🎬🎧
Between the dialogue and soundtrack, narrators painted the scene—describing backdrops, dance moves, and even subtle body language to bring the film to life for viewers with vision loss. "I've come here four times to enjoy these films. It means a lot," said Xu Wei, who was born with a visual impairment. His smile said it all: movies can be for everyone.
Founded in December 2017 by volunteers from the Communication University of China, Guangming Cinema (meaning "light and brightness") teams up over 800 students, faculty members, mentors, and visually impaired participants to adapt films. The process? Watch each 90-minute movie around 10 times, draft a 20,000–30,000 character narration script, then record and edit over 28 days. To date, they’ve produced more than 800 accessible films. 📽️
And this movement isn’t limited to Beijing. This year, Guangming Cinema partnered with over 100 community cultural centers and reached all 2,244 special education schools across the Chinese mainland. Screenings are free, and adapted films are shared on cable and online platforms—opening cinema doors to the more than 17 million individuals with visual impairment in the region. 🌍
Volunteers constantly refine their craft. After a child once asked, "What is the color red?", the team realized they needed to translate visuals not just literally but in a way that resonates through sound. Today’s narrations are more immersive, three-dimensional, and emotionally rich, praised Cao Jun from the Beijing Association of the Blind.
Looking ahead, Guangming Cinema aims to expand audio-guided experiences beyond films—to exhibitions, museums, and other cultural events—so that art and entertainment are truly inclusive. Because everyone deserves a front-row seat. 💡✨
Reference(s):
A Chinese volunteer organization transforms film for visually impaired
cgtn.com
