Country
GERMANY
Import/Export
export
Topic
Zero Project 2018/19
Transfer Model
SOCIAL FRANCHISE
Status
Greta & Starks, a technology-based social business in Berlin, Germany, has developed the free GRETA mobile app to make cinema screenings more accessible to people with visual and hearing impairments. Film distributors provide Greta & Starks with an audio description and subtitles for films that are showing in cinemas and the company uploads these to the mobile app, which people can then use in cinemas without needing special equipment. This means people with visual and hearing impairments have more choice about when and where they watch films. Over 30,000 people used the app between 2014 and 2018, and 80 to 100 films are added each year.
Solution
Accessibility in cinemas is often limited to specific barrier-free screenings, significantly reducing choice and access for people with visual or hearing impairments.
Solution, Innovation, and Impact:
Using GRETA, cinemagoers download the free app to their own smartphone and choose which films they want to see. They then select whether they want to use the audio description or the subtitles feature. Once in the cinema, the app uses the phone’s microphone to automatically synchronize with the start of the film’s soundtrack. No additional equipment is needed. Users use their own headphones for audio description and can adjust the size of the text for subtitles on their smartphone screen. The app also works in open-air cinemas and with DVDs, video on demand services, etc.
Greta & Starks works directly with film distributors, from large international distributors such as Disney and Warner Bros., to smaller, independent companies. They have also worked with film festivals to facilitate accessible screenings. Started in Germany in 2014, the app is now also available in Austria, Switzerland, France and Belgium.
Impact
• Over 400 films are currently available on the GRETA app, and 80 to 100 films are added each year.
• There have been more than 400,000 cinema visits using the app between 2014 and 2018.
“Greta worked flawlessly, I am an absolute fan! I was not born blind, and for the first time I did not miss my eyes.” Paul, a blind movie-goer
Goals
Greta & Starks is currently developing a social franchise model to offer its innovative audio synchronization technology, updates, and training for a small license fee.
As the GRETA app is software-based and uses a phone’s own microphone, it is easy to transfer.
The company has already replicated to France and has had interest from organizations in Israel and South Korea. Moreover, it is keen to support disabled people’s organizations to take on the franchise themselves.
Needs
- Replication partners working with sight and hearing loss in new territories
- Network and lobbying for inclusion world wide
- Advocacy and policy makers for inclusion
- Individuals and associations for sight and hearing loss as change makers and to open doors
- Funding partners to reach impact faster
Transfer Model
We are scaling through a social franchise approach and provide the following to our replication partners:
- ready app technology, ready platform, ready strategy
- reliable, sustainable and proven business model
- replication readiness as a social franchise
- pre contract blockbuster for different territories
- low entrance fee for new territories
- approved by US studios such as Walt Disney and Universal
- high social impact in a short time
Further Info
Kino Einfach Erleben‘ Youtube Video (German)
Contact person: Seneit Debese, sd@gretaundstarks.de