ACCESSIBILITY
ReFrame is committed to creating a festival experience that is welcoming and accessible for all. Below, you’ll find information about accessibility across the festival, including how to access the virtual program, income-based ticket options, and physical accessibility details for our venue partners. Our hybrid festival model allows more people to engage with films and programming in ways that work for them, and we’re glad to offer multiple paths to participation.
If you have questions about accessibility at ReFrame, or if you encounter barriers to taking part in the festival, we encourage you to get in touch with Executive Director Kait Dueck at . We will work with you to address access needs and support your experience.
Please the links below to jump to a specific section, or scroll through to read the full page.
CAPTIONS, ASL INTERPRETATION AND ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES
EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES
INCOME-BASED ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
RELAXED AND WELCOMING SCREENINGS
With a few technical exceptions noted below, all ReFrame screenings should be considered relaxed screenings. We aim to create a comfortable, welcoming environment where audiences are free to engage with films in ways that work for them.
Guests are welcome to:
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move, shift, or leave and re-enter the theatre as needed
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make quiet sounds or speak softly
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take breaks in a quiet space
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attend with babies, support people, or trained service or assistance animals (please note: not all ReFrame films are suitable for children; unless otherwise indicated, our films are recommended for audiences 14+)
We recognize that traditional cinema norms don’t work for everyone. By relaxing these expectations, we hope to welcome audience members with autism, learning disabilities, dementia, sensory sensitivities, caregivers, parents with infants, and anyone who benefits from a more flexible viewing environment.
To support the best possible sensory experience for most audiences, films are screened with standard theatrical lighting and sound levels, with low-level safety lighting in place at all times. Volume levels are monitored carefully, and if sound ever feels uncomfortably loud, we encourage you to let Front of House staff know. Complimentary earplugs are always available, and we’re happy to make adjustments where possible.
ReFrame strives to be a scent-free festival. We kindly ask audience members to avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, and heavily scented personal care products when attending screenings and events. Strong scents can create serious barriers for people with asthma, migraines, allergies, chemical sensitivities, and other disabilities. Your care in this regard helps make our shared spaces safer and more accessible for everyone.
VENUE ACCESSIBILITY
All ReFrame venues are centrally located downtown and are wheelchair accessible, with elevator or lift service available as needed. Both venues offer all-gender, accessible washrooms.
At Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, the theatre, concessions and washrooms are located on the central level. Guests with mobility considerations can access this level via a large, modern elevator, located at the rear of the lower lobby, accessible via the main entrance on Charlotte Street.
At Showplace Performance Centre, an all-gender, accessible washroom is located on the central level, which is accessible without using the lift. The lift, which can be accessed with assistance from the Front of House Manager (wearing a red vest), provides access to the lower lobby/washroom level and to the Cogeco Studio, where concessions will be available. During ReFrame 2026, the Showplace balcony will not be open. The Cogeco Studio will be available for most of the in-person festival as a quiet space, with two brief exceptions which will be posted on site.
Accessible seating is reserved in advance by ReFrame, and clearly indicated at each venue.
For more detailed accessibility information specific to each site, please visit the venue websites linked below:
• Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St, Nogojiwanong/Peterborough)
• Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St N, Nogojiwanong/Peterborough)
CAPTIONS, ASL INTERPRETATION AND ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES
SUBITLES AND CAPTIONS (FILMS)
The vast majority of films presented at ReFrame are available with captions and/or subtitles. Captioning format and style may vary from film to film, depending on how each work was produced and delivered. Where captioning is partial or unavailable, we make every effort to clearly indicate this in advance.
Caption availability and format will be listed for every screening in both our digital and printed film guides. Each film listing will include clear indicators showing whether captions and/or subtitles are available, and the type used. Examples are shown below:
Some virtual films may need subtitles or closed captions to be activated manually. To turn on subtitles or closed captions while watching a virtual film, click the gear icon in the player window, select Subtitles/Closed Captions, and choose English (or another available language). If the gear icon isn’t visible or captions can’t be enabled on your device, you might need to watch the film on a different device.
Closed captions and manual subtitles usually work best when viewing virtual films in major web browsers (including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge), on Apple TV, and on most tablets and smartphones. However, some Roku and Amazon Fire devices may not support closed captions or manual subtitle controls. More detailed information on captions for virtual films can be found by visiting the Eventive Help Page and clicking “How do I turn on Closed Captions?”
Q&As, PANELS & LIVESTREAM EVENTS
ReFrame will clearly indicate when Q&As, panels, and livestream events are available with open or closed captions, CART services, and/or ASL interpretation.
For the 2026 festival, we plan to provide AI-generated CART captioning for many live, in-person events. As an arts organization that centres artists and ecological responsibility, we approach the use of AI technologies thoughtfully and with care. At the same time, we believe strongly that accessibility is essential, and that emerging tools can play a role in expanding access when more traditional services are financially out of reach for a small non-profit organization.
We view this as part of an ongoing exploration of the ethical and transparent use of new technologies, guided by our values and by the needs of our community. Where possible, we will clearly communicate the format and limitations of live captioning in advance, and we welcome feedback as we continue to learn and improve.
HEARING ASSIST DEVICES
Assisted listening devices are available at both Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and Showplace Performance Centre. Venue staff (not ReFrame volunteers) are able to assist with access to these devices. Please ask the venue’s Front of House Manager upon arrival (check in at the bar at Market Hall; ask the FOH manager in the red vest at Showplace).
SENSORY SUPPORTS
Sensory kits are available to borrow in the main lobby at each of our festival venues (Showplace and Market Hall). Each kit contains fidget gadgets, sunglasses and earplugs.
We ask that sensory kits be returned to the reception table after your screening so items can be disinfected and made available to others who may benefit from them. (You’re welcome to keep the earplugs.)
A quiet space is available in the Cogeco Studio on the lower level at Showplace. Lighting in this room will be lowered, and festival films will be available to watch on a smaller screen with reduced volume (with two brief exceptions, which will be clearly posted at the venue).
If the quiet space is in use, becomes busy or no longer feels restful, additional quiet options are available. Please speak with venue Front of House staff, or visit the merchandise table in the Showplace lobby and ask for Kait, who will be happy to help find a quieter space backstage as needed.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES
CONTENT WARNINGS AND TONE NOTES
ReFrame’s programming engages deeply with social, environmental, and human rights issues. Some films may be emotionally intense, triggering, overwhelming, or challenging, and not all content will be right for every viewer. We encourage audiences to approach the festival with care for themselves and to choose viewing experiences that feel supportive and manageable.
In our online film guide, audiences can use the “Lighter Fare” button to explore a curated list of films that are more uplifting, inspiring, quirky, or hopeful in tone. This feature is designed to help guide viewers toward gentler viewing options when needed. This indication appears as below in our online film guide:
We also make every effort to flag films that may include upsetting or intense material by providing content warnings in our film listings. Examples of how content warnings appear in our guides are shown below. While these notices are offered to support informed viewing choices, they may not capture every element someone might wish to avoid.
Tone notes will also be included in our film listings to offer additional context about the emotional register of a film. These notes are intended as guidance rather than guarantees, and we invite audiences to use them as one of several tools when planning their festival experience.
When available, a trained active listener will be present in the theatre during screenings that engage with particularly difficult content. Their presence and location will be shared from the stage at the beginning of the film. Active listeners are there to offer quiet, supportive care, and may gently check in with anyone who chooses to step out during a screening. Participation is always optional, and support is offered without expectation or obligation.
You are always welcome to step out of a screening; taking care of yourself comes first.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SUPPORT CONTACTS
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, we hope that the following resources will help guide you to important community organizations and contacts equipped to offer qualified supports around some challenging materials presented in our program:
Community Counselling and Resource Centre
Counselling, support and resources to assist with personal well-being, housing stability and connection with community.
www.ccrc-ptbo.com 705-734-2272
Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough
BIPOC Peer Support Group; education promoting and protecting human rights and diversity.
www.racerelationspeterborough.org 705-930-1694
Fourcast
Community-based addiction treatment provider.
www.fourcast.ca 1-800-461-1909
Hope for Wellness Help Line
For First Nations, Inuit and Métis people seeking immediate emotional support.
www.hopeforwellness.ca 1-855-242-3310
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
Provides healing, safety and support to those affected by sexual violence and harm.
kawarthasexualassaultcentre.com 24hr Crisis Support Line: 1-866-298-7778
LGBT Youth Line
Confidential and non-judgemental peer support through text and chat services.
www.youthline.ca 647-649-4275
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
24-hour crisis support to Residential School survivors and their families.
1-866-925-4419
New Canadians Centre Peterborough
Programs, services and supports for newcomers to Canada.
www.nccpeterborough.ca 705-743-0882
Supports for Survivors of Violence
https://www.ontario.ca/page/connect-supports-survivors-violence
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
A culture and community-based organization mandated to serve the needs of all urban Indigenous people in the City of Peterborough and the surrounding area.
www.nogofc.ca 705-775-0387
PARN
A community-based agency providing support and health promotion for people HIV-infected and HIV-affected.
www.parn.ca 1-800-361-2895
Council for Persons with Disabilities
Improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by promoting equality, opportunity and inclusion in the Peterborough region.
www.pcpd.ca 705-874-8661
Peterborough Public Health
Directory of available mental health supports.
www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca
Trans Lifeline
A peer support phone service run by Trans people for our Trans and questioning peers; radical community care.
www.translifeline.org 877-330-6366
Other Resources in Ontario
www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support
9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French. For more information, visit www.988.ca
INCOME-BASED ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
ReFrame strives to keep prices as low as possible, so that many community members can access our films and programs. At the same time, we know income disparities create real barriers to access. The following programs are designed to support income-based accessibility across the festival.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN TICKETS
ReFrame offers a no-questions-asked Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) option for all individual screening events.
PWYC tickets are available in advance for all screenings (both in-person and online) through our website. To access PWYC pricing, visit the Online Film Guide, select the film and screening type you’d like to attend, and move the cursor in the checkout window to the price that feels right for you. If that amount is $0, that’s just fine!
1. Select your screening:
2. Click and slide the cursor to your desired price:
Note that to pre-order tickets, you will need to sign in to or create an Eventive account (our online festival and ticketing platform) account. This is done by using an active email address and inputting or creating a personal password:
PWYC tickets for individual in-person screening events are also available on a rush basis, 15 minutes before each screening at festival venues.
If you’re able to pay more than the suggested price, your additional contribution directly supports ReFrame’s PWYC program and helps reduce income-based barriers for others in our community.
COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM
ReFrame distributes a limited number of free festival passes and tickets to the community through our Community Access Program. ReFrame partners with local advocacy groups and service organizations to distribute free tickets to their membership, with an emphasis on providing access to equity-deserving members of the community.
We distributed a record 700 Community Access tickets and passes last season and hope to carry this momentum forward. This initiative is supported exclusively through individual donations. We thank those who are able to contribute for helping to keep the festival accessible for those who may not otherwise be able to participate!