SEAT SIZE IS AN ACCESS ISSUE

Audiences want to know the answer to a very simple question - will they fit? It is very important to us as a film team, for fat audiences and future cinema audiences that venues embrace publishing seat sizing on their websites. On the listing of our screenings but also on the access page.

Alongside other access info (wheelchair spaces, audio description, closed captions, lift information) It’s vital to know seat width and whether seats have arms, if the seats are freestanding and if there is an alternative. Publishing this information makes fat audiences feel valued and more likely to return to the venue in future.

We want venues to think about the audience experience of being in their space.

The gold standard for access info from venues is by Hyde Park Picturehouse in Leeds - this clearly describes the space and has contact details in case there are additional access needs that are not listed.

87%

A staggering 87% of audience members polled said that if seat info was listed clearly they would be more likely to return to the venue.
12% no change.

67% of the population are over a UK size 18, this is not a niche group!

WE CALL ON VENUES TO LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF FAT AUDIENCES

VENUE ACTIONS

Here are some easy steps to take, that will make your venue more fat friendly and encourage repeat visits.

SIMPLE

  • Publish seating info on your website and display clearly in the venue, including:

  • Seat size in each space or screen - how wide and deep are your seats?

  • Are the chair arms moveable - yes/no?

  • Are the chairs fixed together - yes/no?

  • What is the space between rows - is it easy to navigate getting to the seat?

  • Pledge to end the use of director’s chairs for Q&A screenings

GOLD STAR

  • Take and publish photos of your seating

  • Confirm and publish weight capacity of all seating in your venue

  • Do you offer alternative seating? If so, how is this requested?

  • Educate your staff in how to accommodate fat bodies. Are there seats in your venue that might be more comfortable for fat people? - eg same size seats but easier to get to.

  • Audit all access throughout your venue

FUTURE PLANNING

  • Review any future plans to make sure seating is accommodating for all your audience, not just small, able bodies.

  • Hire an accessibility consultant - Our director is a member of FWD Doc supporting filmmakers with disabilities. Their website has lots of useful recommendations and resources. It includes a link to this article by travel blogger Emma who details what that is like to visit the cinema if you are a wheelchair user.

WHAT AUDIENCES HAVE TO SAY

  • “THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST ACCESSIBLE EVENTS I'VE EVER BEEN TO - armless chairs, seat sizing, ramp & lift info. It was very meaningful"

  • “It felt so safe & welcoming. It was the best cinema experience we'd ever had"

  • “this film is creating fat spaces at screenings and it is incredible"

  • “I felt invigorated. I left wanting to tell everyone about it"

  • "I very much appreciated the seating information being available before I went"

  • "this film is creating fat spaces at screenings and it is incredible!"

  • "This was my first time at a film festival. I drove 3 hours each way to see this film. I loved it"

  • "Looking around the theatre, I could feel my shoulders relaxing, I knew I was in a safe space"

MORE

Advocating for fat bodies is work that has been taken on by many people across the world. Support and amplify their work:

CAN WE ALL GO - Amazing US site and app reviewing and advocating for fat friendly seating and spaces

SOFIE HAGEN - Brilliant comedian Sofie has asked comedy venues that she tours, to permanently add seating info to their websites.

FRIENDLY LIKE ME - US site, exhaustive resource of access information for disability and fat bodies. Reviews of spaces, chair recommendations