Getting Into JDIFF

Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
Across the city
jdiff.com


The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (rolls off the tongue, donnit?) is a great opportunity to gorge on films from all over the world, as well as a number of Irish-made productions. Nigel and Paraic over at Spooool.ie have handpicked 13 movies that you should check out if scrolling through the online programme is tiresome.

The venues for this movie bonanza are all properly accessible except for the Savoy. So have a read before you book your tickets.


Cineworld
10/10
Review

Space for wheelchairs: Yes

Stairs: Wherever there are stairs, there is either a slope, a lift or a small wheelchair lift to take you there.

Wheelchair Bathroom: Yes. There are a number of wheelchair bathrooms.

Light House
9.5/10
Review

Space for wheelchairs: Yes.

Stairs: There is a lift that brings you to every floor. 

Wheelchair Bathroom: Yes, they are a little tight but they are very much there.

IFI
10/10

Space for wheelchairs: Yes

Stairs: There is a lift that brings you to the screens upstairs. Everything else is on flat ground.

Wheelchair Bathroom: Yes. The bathroom beside the gift shop is particularly futuristic. Treat yourself and use this one. You will need to get a key for it from the bar. The other bathroom is kept unlocked.


AND NOW....

The Savoy
1/10
To get into the Savoy, as a wheelchair user, you need to somehow get a member of staff's attention or ring in advance so that they can bring you through the side entrance. Their front door is just riddled with steps. Only one of their screens (Screen 1) is wheelchair accessible, the rest are up flights of stairs and there is no lift. Luckily, they use Screen 1 for the JDIFF screenings. They are showing No Limbs, No Limits here on February 15th which is so unbelievably ironic but do try and see it as it sounds like an incredible documentary.

Cineworld, Parnell Street

Cineworld
Parnell Centre, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
cineworld.ie


This is my cinema in that it is always the cinema that I make people go to. Mostly because of my Unlimited Cinema card but it's also a nifty city centre location.


What has it got?

Seating: There are plenty of spots for wheelchair users in all screens, mostly in the front row, but there are a couple of screens where you can have a back row seat. 

Doors: The doors aren't too heavy here. 

Ground: In the foyer, it's marble tiles so it is slippy when it's wet but elsewhere, it's carpet galore. 

Stairs: There is a lift here that brings you to all floors and where there are a few steps, there is a specific wheelchair lift that will bring you up and down. 

Bathrooms: Wherever there are toilets here, there is a wheelchair toilet right beside them. I have had no problems sizewise with these bathrooms. 

Spaciousness: There are very few obstacles that will get in your way here.

Helpfulness of Staff: You will need a member of staff to operate the wheelchair lift with a key. They will normally see you coming and will be there waiting before and after your film but you may need to ask for assistance. 

Parking: There is one wheelchair parking spot on King's Inn Street and there is a car park on Jervis Lane. There is also loads of street parking on Jervis Lane and I have very easily gotten my wheelchair in and out of those spots. (Map here)

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? I have never had any issues going here and the staff are very on the ball with the wheelchair lift.