Inclusive Cinema

Inclusive cinema is a unique project in Košice that offers film-related educational and cultural opportunities to the general public and especially to vulnerable groups of people, thereby making cinema accessible for all. It consists of an inclusive film school for children and youth from regular and marginalised communities, open film screenings (dementia, autism, deaf and blind-friendly), and an inclusive film festival. We hope to sensitise the local population, address discrimination and racism, and systematically build a more open and inclusive society through these activities.

Hate speech, racism, and xenophobia against migrant and Roma communities is rising in eastern Slovakia. Local cultural and creative industries do not have inclusive programming to bring communities together. Very few cultural centres and cinemas offer accessibility and outreach for minority communities and people with mental or physical disabilities.

Inclusive cinema (“Inkluzívne kino“) is a unique cinema in Slovakia that offers film-related educational and cultural programming to marginalised communities and the public.  The cinema has a film school to connect children and youth from marginalised communities, as well as a film festival and film screenings accessible for the blind, deaf, and people with dementia and autism.

Inclusive Cinema was founded and run by Kino Úsmev. We organise the initiative’s projects, including dramaturgy, technical support, and fundraising. The organisation Usmej sa sa mň̌a brings children with mental and physical disabilities to film workshops; ETP Slovensko and Keď môžem pomôžem brings children from the Roma community. We are also connected with arts institutions in Slovakia and work with partner organisations in Norway and Iceland to develop inclusive screenings internationally.

One of the main pillars of the project is to create and involve marginalised communities in new programmes. Children in our programmes unlock their creative potential and become more sensitive to the needs of others. Through screenings and the film festival, Inclusive cinema offers cultural programming to build understanding in the community. In 2022, we will host an international conference on inclusion and cultural diversity.

Inclusive Cinema can be applied in various other contexts and countries. Non-profit, cultural and arts organisations can be inspired by our activities and develop more inclusive programming, spaces, or outreach. Cinemas can install an induction loop to support people with hearing difficulties; organisations can launch creative workshops to connect people from different backgrounds.