The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, scheduled to take place over ten days starting next month on the 30th, has announced its plan to expand barrier-free film screenings. The festival has entered into a business agreement with the Gachibom Film Festival to increase film screenings for the visually and hearing impaired.

The Gachibom Film Festival, organized by the Korean Film Council and hosted by the Korea Deaf Association, features films with Korean subtitles, audio descriptions, and sign language videos, allowing both disabled and non-disabled audiences to enjoy movies together.

Under this agreement, the Jeonju International Film Festival will designate May 7-8 as "Gachibom Film Days" and hold special screenings. The program includes 14 barrier-free films with audio descriptions and barrier-free subtitles, which provide information on dialogue, music, and sound effects, making them accessible to everyone regardless of disability. Additionally, three films with screen descriptions and sign language interpretation will be shown for the hearing impaired.

Ten of the short barrier-free films will be screened under the "Gachibom" brand. The special screenings will also feature films produced through the Jeonju Media Center's Gachibom film production education program and award-winning short films from last year's Jeonju International Film Festival.

These films go beyond simply adding barrier-free elements; some feature disabled individuals as directors and actors. In addition to the barrier-free screenings, four films will have simultaneous sign language interpretation during the Guest Visit (GV) sessions, facilitating communication between the audience, directors, and actors.

The special screenings will be free of charge. Before each film, an announcement will inform the audience about the barrier-free elements included.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]