We want everyone to feel welcome at Sheffield DocFest. That’s why we offer affordable tickets, choose accessible venues, provide captioning and sign-language support, and host relaxed screenings. We also make sure our programme materials are available in a range of accessible formats, so everyone can enjoy the festival comfortably.
Festival Guides
Check out our Public Guide, plus accessible versions you can bookmark or download. All of our Accessible Public Guides are available in different formats here or by following this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/106er87UIUxYCFQW_Z2ePkXlSmPjNXjpu
Our currently available guides include:
- Standard Public Guide as a downloadable PDF
- Plain Text (graphic-less) version of the Public Guide as a PDF for easier reading or a Google Doc to download and edit as you'd like. Also available with:
- Tinted Background (#FFF2CC).
- White Text on Black Background.
- Tinted Background (#FFF2CC).
- Large Text (16pt and 18pt).
- OpenDyslexic – A font designed by and for people with dyslexia. Coming soon.
If you'd like to request any additional accessible materials, please contact boxoffice@sheffdocfest.com and we'll do our best to provide them.
Registering for Assistance at the Festival
If you need help during your time at the festival, would like to request assistance, or just have a question about this information, our Head of People & Access, Maria Stoneman, will be able to advise and offer guidance
Please call +44 114 276 5141 or send an email to access@sheffdocfest.com.
Industry Passes
A Concession Pass price is available for those in receipt of a social assistance benefit. This pass does not increase to a Last Minute Rate.
Students, 30 & Under, and ODA Country Resident concession prices are also available.
For Industry audiences with non-ticket related access enquiries, please email access@sheffdocfest.com
DocsForAll and Accessible tickets
Complimentary tickets, including wheelchair companion seats, are available for Personal Assistants, Carers or Sign Language Interpreters attending with someone who is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or holds a CEA Card or international equivalent. Please book your own ticket as normal then email boxoffice@sheffdocfest.com with proof of DLA or CEA Card to request your complimentary companion ticket.
For more information on the DocsForAll £3 ticket scheme or our GEN DocScheme please follow this link for all ticketing information:
https://www.sheffdocfest.com/box-office-booking-information
People Seeking Sanctuary
Sheffield DocFest recognises the valuable contributions of people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary to the City of Sheffield. We are committed to welcoming, including, and empowering them in all our activities.
We proudly support Sheffield’s status as a recognised City of Sanctuary, dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all people seeking sanctuary.
Deaf Audiences & British Sign Language Requests
British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation is available to book on a limited, first-come, first-served basis to Industry passholders.
If you are interested in using this service to attend sessions, Q&AS, and networking events, please email access@sheffdocfest.com for information. The deadline for your requests is Wednesday 20th May, 2026 (5pm GMT).
Screenings, Sessions, and Events that have BSL interpretation will be listed through the button below.
Further BSL-interpreted events will be added here as and when they have been requested.
Descriptive Subtitles Screenings
Click on the button below for a list of screenings with Descriptive Subtitles (English or foreign language films with subtitles of the dialogue and additional description of non-dialogue sound)
We will continue to update this information as we get closer to the festival in June. Please check back for an updated list.
Live Captions
At the Lyceum theatre, all introductions, Q&As, and Talks will have Live Captions.
All Industry Sessions taking place in the Lycuem, Crucible Playhouse and Montgomery Theatre will have Live Captions throughout. Some sessions in the Creative Lounge and Dorothy Flemming Lecture theatre will have captions if the session format is appropriate.
Click on the button below for a list of events with Live Captions (events where the introduction, conversation and Q&A will have live captions on screen).
English Language Subtitled Screenings
Click on the button below for a list of Subtitled screenings (Foreign language films with English Subtitles Throughout)
Blind & Visually Impaired Audiences
Click on the button below for a list of Audio Described films. We will continue to update this information. Please check back for an updated list.
Podcasts that are Audio Only and appropriate for blind & visually impaired audiences can be found by clicking on the following buttons below
Alternate Realities, Quiet Hours and Relaxed Screenings
The quiet hours (10am to 11am each day) at the Alternate Realities Exhibition are open to everyone, but specifically those who are neurodivergent, autistic, or living with dementia who will benefit from a more relaxed, quieter space.
During the quiet hours, we welcome immunocompromised audiences to attend, as we will ask all audiences during this time to wear a mask.
Exhibition ambient audio will also operate at a reduced volume.
Is a Relaxed Screening for Me?
Seating
You can select your seats when you arrive in the auditorium. You may sit with your family or friends, or there are some single seats if you prefer.
Please leave space between yourself and other groups and retain your selected seats for the duration of the performance if possible.
Before the screening
Doors will open approximately 30 minutes before the screening starts, and no trailers will be shown. The programme will be introduced by someone from the DocFest team or the venue.
During the screening
Our house lights will remain on a low level throughout the screening, and the volume will be turned slightly down. You will be able to move freely around the space and leave and return to the screening as needed. You will be able to make noise.
For all our Relaxed Screenings, please click on the button below:
Festival Map and Sheffield Geography
Sheffield is built on 7 hills. If you are navigating Sheffield for the first time, please be aware that if you arriving by train, there is a long incline ramp from the train station to the Showroom Cinema and Delegate Centre. Hotels and venues are all a short walk away but are up hills and slight inclines.
A map of all the venues can be found by click on the button below
Blue Bay Parking in Sheffield
Wheelchair Hire
Accessibility by Venue
For information about the different accessibility provisions available at each of our festival venues, including the seating dimensions for each cinema venue, please click on the button below, which is in a downloadable format
If you have any questions, please email boxoffice@sheffdocfest.com. Please note, there may be limited availability depending on the venue.
Distance to Venues from the Delegate Centre (S1 2BX)
The Light Cinema - 11-minute walk
Curzon Cinema - 11-minute walk
Crucible Theatre - 8-minute walk
Lyceum Theatre - 8-minute walk
The Montgomery - 10-minute walk
Cutlers Hall - 14-minute walk
Creative Lounge - 0-minute walk
Yorkshire ArtSpace - 4-minute walk
Sheffield Hallam University - Performance Lab - 4-minute walk
Sheffield Hallam University - Dorothy Fleming Theatre - 4-minute walk
Sheffield Hallam University - Institute of Technology - 4-minute walk
Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen - 4 minutes walk
Sheffield Cathedral - 13 minutes walk
Winter Garden - 7 minutes walk
Sidney & Matilda - 4 minutes walk
The Botanist - 9 minutes walk
The Steamworks - 17 minutes walk
Watt Bar - 1 minute walk
Forum Sheffield - 15 minutes walk
Hygge - Pounds Park - 11 minutes walk
The Local Authority (Corporation) - 13 minutes walk
