Bright Cinema: The Story of How Audio-Described Film Evolved in China

How a determined group of volunteers brought the movies to 17 million blind and visually-impaired viewers across China

Conceived in December 2017 with the aim of providing an inclusive cultural experience for all, the “Bright Cinema” project has driven the development of accessible film for blind and visually-impaired moviegoers in China. In its first five years, its volunteers produced over five hundred audio-described movies and broadcast them across the nation in a program of screenings and livestreams. Staffed entirely by teachers and students from the Communications University of China’s School of Television, the project has quickly become a key figure in China’s cinema landscape, reflecting its growing commitment to inclusivity in the arts, while also exploring the evolution of China’s modern film culture.