Dementia-friendly film screenings at the NFSA will commence with Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 classic Strictly Ballroom. Photo: NFSA.
An innovative new program at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) will provide important opportunities for inclusion, connection and wellbeing to people living with dementia, their carers and families.
The NFSA will host a three-year program of dementia-friendly screenings, starting in Dementia Action Week later this month with the much-loved classic Strictly Ballroom, month, digitally restored by the NFSA through NFSA Restores.
An ACT Government initiative, ‘A Day at the Movies’, follows years of research by a team of film and screen culture experts, extensive community consultation and a successful 2022 pilot.
The new program addresses what researchers say is a missed opportunity to support social inclusion and build an accessible screen culture for people living with dementia.
While the screenings are open to everyone and anyone, dementia-friendly screenings are about creating a “screening environment” and event tailored to the comfort, accessibility and sensory needs of someone living with dementia.
According to lead researcher Dr Jodi Brooks from UNSW Sydney, this includes careful consideration around all elements of event design, from film selection and timing to audiovisual sensory outputs.
“We held community and stakeholder discussions before the pilot and gathered valuable information, and it was clear that scheduling was critical. What we know from dementia advocates is that morning screenings can work best,” she says.
“We also prioritise the materiality of the screening – the lighting, sound levels, speaker placement – those things that’ll create comfort and help avoid sensory bombardment. Having an interval is important as well, as it gives people a break but also creates more opportunities for people to talk, share and be in the company of people close to them.”
As important as the screening itself is, it’s only one part of the event, which also includes a morning tea reception and the opportunity to socialise in the NFSA’s picturesque courtyard.
“It becomes a more meaningful outing, where people living with dementia get to mingle and be part of the broader community,” Dr Brooks says.
The event has been structured to enhance other diversity and inclusion opportunities in the territory, with subsequent screenings to be scheduled in line with key dates in the ACT calendar, such as Reconciliation Week, Canberra’s Multicultural Festival and the SpringOUT Pride Festival.
The idea is to open up meaningful opportunities for people living with dementia, their carers, families and friends to be part of what’s happening in their city and to invite the broader community into a better understanding of dementia, with more chances to be involved.
The program will also include a dementia advocates film group, facilitating consultation with other advocates to build the framework needed to create future dementia-friendly film experiences.
Dr Brooks says the ACT Government’s Age-Friendly City Plan, coupled with support from the NFSA, Carers ACT, Dementia Australia and the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing set the program up well for success.
“We’re so excited about the opportunity to partner with the NFSA – not only because they’re our national screen and audiovisual cultural body, but because they’re leaders in this area with a dynamic Disability Inclusion Action Plan. They can make real change in the field,” she said.
A Day at the Movies was born from frustration over the contrast between the number of films about dementia and the lack of programs enabling people living with dementia to enjoy going to the movies with friends and family.
“There’s an incredible mismatch between the number of dementia-themed films we’re seeing in cinemas and the dearth of cinema screenings that cater for the accessibility needs of people living with dementia,” Dr Brooks says.
“Fincina, Karina and I wanted to do something about this and create some change. We each bring different areas of expertise and skills to this project, but we have the same passion and commitment, which makes for a great team.
“For most of us, going to the movies is a social activity that is both deeply familiar and also special. Our experiences and the sensory memories in our bodies are not only tied to particular films but also to the cinema experience itself – the lights going down, sitting down in front of a big screen, being part of an audience of friends and strangers.
“When we held the pilot in 2022, it was magical. I’ve been working in cinema teaching and programming for decades, but seeing good accessibility and inclusion in action like that will always stand out as a significant moment in my career.”
Movie choice is important as well, and the program comprises popular films with some familiarity and intergenerational appeal.
“We’re so incredibly lucky to have this beautifully restored print of iconic classic Strictly Ballroom to launch this program,” she said.
A Day at the Movies opens with NFSA Restores: Strictly Ballroom on Saturday, 21 September, from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm at Arc Cinema, NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton. Tickets cost $16 for general admission, $12 for concession and complimentary carer tickets are available for attendees caring for a person living with dementia, courtesy of Carers ACT.
For more information or to book, visit NFSA.
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