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Santa Barbara International Film Festival plans renovation of downtown theater, promises accessibility upgrades
Summary
SBIFF told the Access Advisory Committee it plans a state-of-the-art renovation of the Film Center at 916 State Street that will include new projection, sound, seating and efforts to make the space fully accessible; staff and the committee requested a follow-up presentation with the festival’s architects.
Representatives of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival briefed the Access Advisory Committee on plans to renovate the Film Center at 916 State Street and said they intend to make the theater fully accessible as part of a state-of-the-art refurbishment.
Roger Durling, executive director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, told the committee the theater will temporarily close for renovation and that the organization is “looking to do everything by the book and go beyond if possible.” The festival’s managing director, Sean Pratt, and other staff answered committee questions about access, timing and technical accommodations.
Durling said the team hopes the closure will last about four months but cautioned that projects can take longer: “We’re hoping that it’s only gonna be 4 months, but, in best laid plans, that’s normally not usually the case.” When asked whether wheelchair access would change, festival staff answered in the affirmative and said the entrance ramping/approach options are being evaluated. The auditorium sits below ground, and staff said installing a long exterior ramp at the State Street entrance is likely infeasible; they said they will investigate alternate entry points and back-of-house ramp options.
Festival staff described prior use of platform lifts and the maintenance and operational challenges they pose. A festival representative said, “anytime you can avoid putting in a lift by putting in a ramp, I think it’s worth the initial expense to avoid the maintenance expense.” The festival said it is working with architects to examine options and will return to the committee for a fuller presentation.
Several committee members and public commenters asked about other accessibility measures. The festival said it is installing hearing loops in all its theaters and will consider audio-description tracks when available; Durling acknowledged difficulties with independent and low-budget films that do not provide audio-description tracks and said the festival will provide services “when possible.” Committee members suggested a volunteer-based human description program and noted advances in automated tools that could assist.
The committee asked staff to schedule a special meeting or ad hoc review so the festival’s architect can present plans and so the committee can provide focused input before construction proceeds. Staff said they will coordinate that follow-up soon rather than waiting for the committee’s next scheduled meeting.
No formal committee action was taken. The festival said it will continue coordination with city staff and the Access Advisory Committee as it develops construction plans and accessibility features.
