Sydney Film Festival is proud to partner with Accessible Arts NSW. Please visit the Accessible Arts NSW website for more information.

We welcome feedback at tickets@sff.org.au.

SFF Access & Inclusion information

Sydney Film Festival welcomes all visitors to screenings and events, and makes every effort to ensure the program is accessible to our whole audience. See the accessibility information at the bottom of this page for all venue specific details. You can download this information as a PDF guide.

Disability Inclusion and Action Plan

Read our Disability Inclusion Action Plan in PDF or Word document.

Sydney Film Festival holds bi-annual reviews to track progress of accessibility and inclusion improvements as outlined in the DIAP. Read our latest progress report in PDF or Word document.

Companion Cards

Sydney Film Festival proudly accepts Companion Cards to all sessions. For guests who require assistance of a companion or carer, a second ticket is issued at no cost to the Companion Card holder.

Companion Card tickets can be booked when the 2023 program goes on sale on our website by adding them to your cart and then entering your Companion Card number on checkout.

For all access and inclusion bookings or enquiries, and to notify us of your needs so we can make your visit as enjoyable as possible, please call us on 1300 733 733 or email tickets@sff.org.au.

Wheelchair Spaces

Sydney Film Festival’s venues have a limited number of wheelchair spaces. To book a space, please call us on 1300 733 733. You can reserve a wheelchair space for sessions in the Screenability Program online at the same time you are booking your ticket.

See below in the Venue Specific Access Information field for the number of spaces available in each cinema across the Festival.

Audio Description

Audio describers give verbal descriptions of all the visual elements of what is happening on the screen. This is done during natural pauses and gaps in the dialogue via a small earpiece, provided to audience members before the show. Customers must book the service in advance online or over the phone and pick up their FM headset on arrival.

AD is not available with every film and there is limited availability for each session. Check the program for AD before booking and refer to Venue Specific Access Information below for further information.

Open Captioning

Open Captioning is a text display of all the words and sounds heard on screen.

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals are welcome at all festival events and venues. Bookings are essential so the venue can be advised, call 1300 733 733 or email tickets@sff.org.au.

Assistive Listening

Many venues have an induction hearing loop system or FM radio system available. See the venue specific information below for details.

Auslan Interpreted Q&As and Introductions

Auslan interpreting is for audiences who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Details of screenings that include Auslan will be included in the Program Guide.

Subtitled Screenings

All foreign language in films is subtitled in English. This does not include full open captions.

Assistance at the Venue

If you require assistance or simply have questions about accessibility, our friendly accessibility volunteers will be happy to help – they’ll be at each cinema wearing purple or yellow vests.

Venue Specific Access Information

State Theatre

ACCESS

The main entrance of the State Theatre on Market Street is wheelchair accessible. There will be temporary ramp access to the Mezzanine Level.

The State Theatre has up to 6 wheelchair accessible spaces available on the Mezzanine Level. To book a wheelchair space please call us on 1300 733 733.

There are 21 stairs to the Dress Circle Foyer from street level and an additional 13 steps up into the auditorium, to the concourse between Rows J & K. There are further steps once inside the Dress Circle. There are 21 stairs from street level to the Stalls and no further steps once inside the Stalls.

Mezzanine level has very few stairs and is best suited for less mobile patrons.

AUDIO

Hearing Aid Loops are available, please see venue staff to collect equipment. Hearing Aid Loops are available. The most ideal location for the best signal is Mezzanine, Row G, Seats 13 – 44.

Currently, Closed Caption and Audio Description is not available at the State Theatre.

BATHROOMS

Accessible bathrooms are located at the QT Hotel next door on Level 1. Please ask venue staff for assistance if required. Rest points are available in foyer and bathroom areas.

CAR PARKING

There is no onsite parking available. Please refer to City of Sydney’s mobility parking information.

Event Cinemas

ACCESS

Ramp access to Event Cinemas is available from the main entrance on George Street. It is recommended to drop off on Kent St and take the lane way down to the cinema.

All cinemas at Events Cinema George Street are wheelchair accessible, with allocated wheelchair locations. Elevators are shared with other building tenants; this route may be slow, please leave enough time for accessing. Please ask staff for assistance. To book a wheelchair space please call us on 1300 733 733.

AUDIO

Infrared transmitters mounted in the cinema carry the sound to a receiver that you wear. At some cinemas, if you wear hearing aids, cinema staff will provide you with a neck loop to pick up the sound, and for those who do not use hearing aids, there is a limited number of headsets available.

Audio description is available in Cinemas 3 and 10 are available on request.

Closed captioning equipment is available from the cinema. You can sit in any seat in the cinema as captions are delivered by a personal device, with a high contrast display and privacy screen, so only you can see the captions.

Please see staff at Event Cinemas to collect equipment. Please note, equipment is subject to availability and you may be requested to leave a form of ID to ensure the safe return of the equipment.

BATHROOMS

Accessible bathrooms are located a short distance from each cinema. Please ask staff for directions.

CAR PARKING

There is no onsite parking available.

Palace Cinema Central

ACCESS

The venue has limited wheelchair spaces in all cinemas excluding Platinum 1. To book a wheelchair space please call us on 1300 733 733.

There is no accessible drop off on George Street. The loading dock that connects to the north service elevator is located off Carlton Street. Those that require access via the loading dock must advise SFF prior on 1300 733 733 so we can inform the venue. You will be asked to sign in at the security desk at the loading dock.

The cinema is a 5-minute walk from Central Railway Station (taking exit 7 via Railway Square) and a 10 minute walk from Redfern Railway Station. Any bus stopping at Railway Square, Central Station or Eddy Avenue will take you to the venue within a few minutes walking distance from Central Park Mall.

Public lifts and escalators are available inside the shopping centre.

AUDIO

All Palace auditoriums are setup with the Fidelio headset and neck loop options. These receivers are available at the box office. The neck loop option works in conjunction with the hearing aid and the headset has adjustable volume to boost the dialogue levels. To access the headset or neck loop option, simply ask a venue staff member at the box office and they will be able to assist you further.

Audio description is available on request.

BATHROOMS

Accessible bathrooms are available next to the cinemas on L3.

PARKING

Novotel Wilson Parking, 169-179 Thomas Street Haymarket is a 6-minute walk from the Cinema. You can validate your parking ticket at Palace Cinema Central and pay $8 all day and night.

Dendy Newtown

ACCESS

All cinemas at the Dendy Newtown are wheelchair accessible, via ramp or lift. The lift can be self-operated or you can ask staff for assistance. Each cinema has allocated wheelchair locations. To book a wheelchair space, please call us on 1300 733 733.

AUDIO

Dendy Newtown offers Infrared transmission, hearing aid loop and the Closed Captioning System in all cinemas to enhance the hearing and visually impaired cinema patron’s movie-going experience. A limited number of devices are available to loan and can be collected from the Box Office.

BATHROOMS

Accessible bathrooms are located on Ground Level and Level 3.

PARKING

Dendy Newtown has a paid parking car park limited to 20 available spaces.

Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne

ACCESS

All cinemas in the Hayden Orpheum are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of Cinema 3. Please note there is a 225kg weight limit on the inclinators in HOC cinemas– access to the inclinators are at the rear of the cinema on Parraween Street – please ask staff for assistance.

Please note the Venue policy is that the inclinator is unfortunately not able to be used after the session start time due to noise disruption. Please plan your visit accordingly.

To book a wheelchair space please call us on 1300 733 733.

AUDIO

Hearing Aid Loops are available for Cinemas 4, 7 and 8. Please see venue staff to collect equipment.

Currently, Closed Caption, Audio Description and Infrared Transmitters are not available at the Hayden Orpheum.

BATHROOMS

There are accessible bathrooms located on the ground floor. Please ask staff for assistance.

CAR PARKING

Behind the Orpheum on Parraween Street there is a car park with accessible spaces.

The Ritz Cinema Randwick

ACCESS

Wheelchair access to the venue is via St Paul Street door entry closest to Wilson Parking.
The venue has limited wheelchair spaces in most cinemas. To book a wheelchair space please call SFF on 1300 733 733. Please note that the cinema’s floor is carpeted, making mobility laborious. You may require assistance. Also, the cinema floors are on a slope, making it difficult to station a wheelchair, however, the cinema does have chocks available for added safety if required. Please ask cinema staff.

AUDIO

All cinemas are fitted with a hearing loop for patrons with hearing aids. Generally, the hearing loop works best in the centre of the cinema, however it does work in all areas.

Currently, Closed Caption and Audio Description are not available at the Ritz Cinema Randwick.

BATHROOMS

The accessible bathroom is located on the ground floor on the east side of the building. There is direct or lift access to all cinemas.

CAR PARKING

Limited accessible street parking is available directly outside the venue, with additional accessible parking at Wilson’s Parking, adjacent to the cinema on St Paul Street. Access to St Paul Street from the cinema is via Level 6 using the public lift (not the Brigidine College lift which is also in operation from Wilsons Parking).

Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) – Domain Theatre

ACCESS

The Art Gallery of NSW is committed to providing access to all audiences.

If you require assisted entry or to enter at the rear of the building, we recommend you contact the Gallery before arrival on 02 9225 1775.

AGNSW have wheelchairs and mobility scooters available for use within the Gallery without charge. Wheelchairs are located behind the ground floor ticketing and information desk and rear Gallery entrance.

Inside the Gallery, if you require further assistance, see staff at the ticketing and information desk or any of the uniformed Gallery officers.

AUDIO

An audio-induction loop is available in the Domain Theatre.

BATHROOMS

Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on the upper level, lower level 1, lower level 2 and lower level 3. All-gender toilets with wash basins and hand dryers are located on lower level 2. Please ask a staff member at the Information Desk for assistance.

An accredited Changing Places facility is located on lower level 2 for visitors with high support needs and and their carers. Please ask any Art Gallery staff member or volunteer for assistance to access the facility.

CAR PARKING

There are two free dedicated accessible parking off-street spaces in the rear of the Art Gallery. To access the spaces. please drive toward the loading dock. There is a buzzer which connects with security who will grant access if parking spaces are available.

Next to the Gallery, the Domain Car Park has accessible lifts and there is a bitumen path from its nearest lift to the Gallery’s rear access entrance.

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre

ACCESS

The Centre is fully wheelchair accessible, including toilet facilities and self-operated lifts to all floors. The Centre is happy to accommodate companion animals, including providing water.

AUDIO

Hearing loops are available in the theatre.

BATHROOMS

Bathrooms are located close to the theatre, please ask staff for assistance if required.

CAR PARKING

There is plenty of parking on site. For bookings at this venue, please call Casula Powerhouse directly on (02) 9824 1121.

RESTAURANT AND BAR SPECIFIC ACCESS INFORMATION

Azuma  

Wheelchair accessible.

Brix Distillery

Wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms

Chefs Gallery 

Wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms.

deVine Food And Wine 

Not wheelchair accessible.

Esquire Bar + Bistro 

Wheelchair accessible. Internal lifts to restaurant.

Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant 

Wheelchair accessible. No accessible restrooms.

glass brasserie 

Wheelchair access via lifts at George St entrance or hotel lifts. Accessible restrooms on Level 2.

The Grounds of the City

Accessible bathrooms and wheelchair access available.

Lotus the Galeries 

Located on the first floor of The Galeries. Wheelchair accessible and restrooms inside the venue.

Monopole 

Wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms.

Mountain Goat Newtown

Access ramp and an accessible restroom.

Parlour Deli 

Wheelchair accessible.

The Ritz Bar

Wheelchair access via lift. Accessible bathrooms and all-gender bathrooms available.