British Council supports inclusive cinemas in Azerbaijan

Baku, May 21, AZERTAC The British Council Azerbaijan in cooperation with the British Embassy Azerbaijan, Nizami Cinema Centre and YARAT will organise a two-day training between 24-25 May for Azerbaijani cultural leaders. There are both social and economic arguments for cinemas to engage even more effectively with disabled people as audiences, particularly in these times of increased emphasis on quality of life, social inclusion, building inclusive environments and diversifying income generation in the arts and cultural sector. According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, 6.4 per cent of Azerbaijan's population lives in disability, while the world figure is 15 per cent. This percentage is set to increase over the next few decades, as Azerbaijan demographics increase. The British Council in Azerbaijan supports the development of an inclusive society, where all people can participate in arts and cultural activities equally, independently, with choice and with dignity. As the continuation of the fourth British Film Spring festival, a two-day training will be held for Azerbaijani cultural leaders that will focus on making cultural venues more accessible and inclusive - in line with the British Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusiveness policy and Nizami Cinema Centre’s Cinema for All Strategy. British expert Jemma Buckley from Independent Cinema Office will run the training, and will specifically talk about how to make cinemas more accessible for deaf audiences. At the opening ceremony of the event, Leyli Mirzayeva, Director of Nizami Cinema will speak about the Cinema for All Strategy, and projects they have done with deaf communities. The event will be attended by local guest speakers of the sector. The event will take place at YARAT (Bayil District, near National Flag Square) and is open to all.