NEW YORK – A new science fiction film premiering in New York is attempting to reshape how accessibility is built into movies by designing a single theatrical version intended to be experienced simultaneously by deaf, blind, and hearing audiences.
The film, Survival In Space, was created by Flint-born producer Anderson Fernanders and will debut in New York as part of an attempt to establish a Guinness World Records recognition for inclusive audience presentation.
At the center of the project is a design approach that integrates American Sign Language (ASL), English captions, and audio description into one unified theatrical presentation. Instead of creating separate accessibility versions of a film, all elements are embedded into a single screening.
The result, according to the filmmakers, is intended to allow audiences with different sensory abilities to experience the same film at the same time, rather than in parallel but separate formats.
“For most of film history, accessibility has been added after the fact,” said Fernanders. “We wanted to start from the assumption that everyone would be in the same room, experiencing the same story together.”
Earlier this month, Fernanders spoke about the film’s development, personal inspiration, and its broader impact on inclusive storytelling during an interview on the Big Mic Show. In the conversation, he discussed the journey behind Survival In Space and the challenges of overcoming barriers to rethinking accessibility as a foundational element of filmmaking.
Listen to the full interview here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-mic-show/id1877667085
The production also incorporates Dolby Atmos sound design intended to emphasize vibration and spatial audio elements, expanding how the film is experienced beyond traditional dialogue and visuals.
Fernanders, who is from Flint, Michigan, said his background influenced the project’s focus on resilience and access. He cited the cultural and economic histories of Flint and Detroit as shaping his approach to storytelling and production.
The premiere event in New York is expected to serve as the basis for a Guinness World Records submission for inclusive audience engagement, with verification pending audience measurement criteria.
Accessibility in films has typically been governed by regulatory requirements or post-production add-ons. Survival In Space positions itself as an experiment in whether accessibility can be treated as a core component of cinematic design rather than an auxiliary feature.
The film’s creators say they hope the approach encourages broader discussion within the film industry about how accessibility is implemented in both theatrical and streaming distribution.
About the Film:
Survival In Space is a science fiction feature exploring survival and isolation, developed with an integrated accessibility framework designed for shared audience experience.
Media Contact
Company Name: Adler Associates & Entertainment
Contact Person: Anderson Fernanders
Email: Send Email
Phone: (810)284-0099
Country: United States
Website: https://adlerandassociatesentertainment.com/