Dok Leipzig starts crowdfunding for barrier -free films - every euro counts!

Dok Leipzig starts crowdfunding for barrier -free films - every euro counts!

An exciting initiative for a barrier -free film offer is currently being launched in Leipzig. DOK Leipzig, a renowned documentary and animated film festival, launched a crowdfunding campaign on June 26, 2025 to finance up to five films with special audio descriptions and extended German subtitles. Festival manager Christoph Terhare emphasizes how important a basic program is for people with disabilities. "We want to realize a small but fine range of barrier -free films," said Terhecht. The need for support is high, because the funding from the Free State of Saxony is expected to be completely eliminated in 2025 after considerable sums have been made available in recent years.

From 2021 to 2023, the festival was able to raise almost 50,000 euros every year for barrier -free offers. In 2024, the DOK even plans to show 24 films with such versions, 19 with extended subtitles that offer additional information about background noise and film music. In order to reach the desired 10,000 euros for this year, the crowdfunding campaign runs until August 9, 2025 on the "Leipziger Crowd" platform. So far, over 2,000 euros have been guaranteed, but the money is only certain if the donation goal is reached by the end of July.

The importance of accessibility

In recent years, Dok Leipzig has recognized the importance of accessibility in film sales. Various program items are specially designed for people with disabilities, and support from civil society is a decisive factor. Audio descriptions cost around 4,000 to 5,000 euros per film, while the extended subtitles make up around 1,500 euros. In the past, the Saxon state government has promoted projects to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities, which also include the barrier-free film versions at DOK. The festival summer is still celebrated and made visible by the previous sums and the commitment of the supporters.

The current decline in financial support on the part of the Free State has led to the DOK only show the barrier -free versions that are provided directly by film teams. Terhecht emphasizes that despite the withdrawal of cuts, the financial situation remains critical in the face of increasing costs. "We have to consider how we can guarantee accessibility," he says. This illustrates how important the crowdfunding initiative is for the future of the festival and the accessibility of the film offer.

A look at the festival

The DOK Leipzig will bring numerous international documentary and animated films to the screen from October 27 to November 2, 2025. Around 250 films and extended reality work (XR) will be presented this week. Supporters of the festival have the opportunity to donate contributions in every height and to receive small premiums such as festival posters or advertising presence on the website. The organizers are confident that the Leipzig population is behind this important project and thus contributes to the promotion of accessibility in the cultural area, which represents a fundamental human right.

If you want to learn more about the campaign or make a contribution, you will find all information on the "Leipziger Crowd" platform. We stay tuned and look forward to how the initiative will develop!

For more information and current updates, visit the articles on MDR , href = "https://www.l-iz.de/kultur/film-tv/2025/07/dok-leipzig-crowdfunding-628520"> Leipziger Internet Zeitung .