The Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival will return for its 22nd year at the Rollins Theater on September 20. The event will feature a selection of short films focused on people with disabilities, including works created by disabled filmmakers. The festival also includes a discussion led by advocates from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities about recent legislative advances and their relevance to the films shown.
Tickets for the event are available to the public using a sliding scale pricing model. Additional expenses such as parking, snacks, and drinks are not covered in the ticket price. Attendees who face financial barriers can request complimentary tickets by emailing filmfest@txdisabilities.org. If tickets sell out, there will be an online and at-the-door wait list.
The organizers have outlined several accessibility measures for attendees. The theater offers open seating with unattached chairs on a level floor and tables for those who need them. All films will have open captions, and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided during spoken portions of the festival. Audio description devices and sound amplification equipment will also be available. Accessible parking spaces are offered in both the garage and directly in front of the venue, though valet service is not included this year.
For further access needs or to reserve accessible parking, attendees are encouraged to contact either filmfest@txdisabilities.org or boxoffice@thelongcenter.org.
A statement from Long Center clarified that “This is a venue rental event presented by an independent organization separate from the Long Center. Any views or opinions expressed in this event or by the event organizers do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or values of the Long Center.”
Additionally, “The Long Center is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment and will not tolerate demeaning, harassing, or discriminatory conduct from, or directed toward, patrons, artists, rental clients, staff, or volunteers.”
