QWOCMAP strives to make our annual international Queer Women of Color Film Festival a place of safety, welcome, and belonging that is accessible to all who want to participate.
We acknowledge that ending ableism is an ongoing process, even among those of us with disabilities.
We ask that you work with us to make the Film Festival enjoyable for all minds and bodies.
Please help us to serve you better by communicating needs and requests that we have not yet addressed to any of our Safety & Care crew (identified by RED badges), who will be happy to help you.
Covid Safety
Our COVID safety guidelines are designed with high standards for the safety of our Sick & Disabled community and therefore will benefit everyone.
Blind & Low Vision
ALL films have English audio descriptions. The Front Desk has headphones that can be checked out to listen to the audio description.
There are a number of seating options for Blind & Low Vision people and their party.
There is an orchestra section near the screen.
There is a seating section for people with trained guide dogs towards the back of the orchestra or mezzanine stage left.
There is a Fragrance Free seating section for folks who are chemically injured AND have hypoallergenic guide dogs or trained service animals.
The Festival Program Book will be available as a downloadable, screen-reader-friendly PDF. The information is also available via the Festival Schedule.
NOTE: Emergency lights flash but do NOT make sound. Ushers are briefed on emergency procedures for Blind and Low Vision audience members.
Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing
ALL films have English Open Captions / Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.
ASL interpreters will be on site for all screenings and in the lobbies during receptions.
People who need ASL interpretation can sit in the orchestra section near the stage so that they have a better view of the ASL Interpreters.
Assistive listening devices can be checked out at the Front Desk.
Temperature
Wear layers of comfortable clothing so that you can stay warm.
Fresh air will be pumped into the venue between screenings for COVID safety, which will cool down the building.
Receptions will be served outdoors. All food and drink must be consumed OUTSIDE the building.
Size
There are padded theater seats with arms.
In the orchestra, there are 8 aisle seats with an armrest that can be lifted.
There are also 21-inch-wide padded seats without arms for comfort, that support up to 800 lbs.
Fragrance Free
There is a Fragrance Free seating section in the first few rows of the orchestra. There is a moat of seats for people who are Fragrance Free but not chemically injured.
We work with the venue to use Fragrance Free, non-toxic cleaning products, hand soap, and other supplies, and to avoid scented products and those that have “fragrance” on the ingredient label.
We respectfully request that all Film Festival attendees AVOID “fragrance” products, and REFRAIN from wearing, bathing with, using on their bodies, or washing their clothes with products that have “fragrance,” “perfume,” “parfum,” or “scent” listed on the ingredients list on the label, as well as essential oils and “natural” scents.
Smokers (of tobacco): please air out your clothes before you enter the theater. Please wash your hands and mouth when you enter the theater to reduce the impact on chemically injured people. Check the Smokers section below.
Smokers
Tobacco
Those who smoke cigarettes and use tobacco vape pens must do so outdoors at least 200 feet away from the venue entrance and COVID testing station.
Marijuana/Cannabis
We understand that a lot of people smoke and use cannabis products for their health and wellbeing. We want to ensure that you can do so safely, which means outside of the Presidio National Park.
SAFETY ADVISORY: when entering the Presidio there is a shift in law, from those of the City of San Francisco and the State of California, to those of the U.S. government.
The venue is located inside the National Park and is governed by federal law. Therefore, it prohibits the possession AND consumption of marijuana/cannabis, including vape pens. Federal penalties are harsh. Please consume safely.
Wheelchairs & Mobility
There are benches outside located near the venue entrance.
Those using wheelchairs, mobility devices, and others with mobility issues can go to the front of the line to enter.
The lobbies, auditorium, and All Genders restrooms are wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator to reach the bathrooms in the lower lobby, and all other areas can be reached from the ground floor.
There is mobility seating toward the back of the orchestra.
Service Animals
There is a Fragrance Free seating section for folks who are chemically injured AND have hypoallergenic guide dogs or trained service animals.
There is a seating section for people with guide dogs or trained service animals towards the back of the orchestra or mezzanine stage left, away from the Fragrance Free seating section.
For people who have service animals that are NOT trained as service animals may sit in the mezzanine stage right, away from the Fragrance Free and guide dog sections.
Crisis Counselors
Anyone who experiences intense emotional reactions (triggering, distress, anxiety, panic) during the Film Festival can approach our Ushers, Safety & Care crew, or Front Desk to be connected to Crisis Counselors who will be available at all screenings. Content Warnings are listed for each film.
Additional Resources
San Francisco Women Against Rape Crisis Hotline: 415-647-7273
Asian Women’s Shelter Crisis Line: 1-877-751-0880
Community United Against Violence Safety Line: 415-333-4357
Trans Lifeline Hotline: US: 877-565-8860 / Canada: 877-330-6366
Quiet Space
There is a quiet, low-stim space away from the intense stimulation of our audiences.
Please approach our Safety & Care crew (identified by RED badges) to be directed to this space.
Restrooms
All genders are welcome in the wheelchair accessible restrooms.
There are mobile HEPA air filters in both restrooms.
EMF Safety
There are LEDs in the lobbies, bathrooms, and seating areas of the theater. There are work lights on stage. The entire building has Wi-Fi. We ask that audiences do NOT use cell phones except for urgent matters.
Online Viewing
There is an online Encore Screening after the Film Festival to allow us to include as many people as possible, such as those who can’t attend in person or are located internationally.
Opening remarks, panel conversations, and Filmmaker Q&As will be recorded, open captioned for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and described for the Blind and Low Vision.
