Using Film to Support Accessibility: Manchester Art Gallery

Using film to support accessibility

Some projects are designed to promote a brand.

Others are designed to create understanding.

In August 2024, UNDERFOUND Studio was commissioned by the Manchester Art Gallery to produce a short documentary exploring how museums and galleries can better support visitors experiencing mental health conditions when engaging with challenging or emotionally sensitive works of art.

The project formed part of a wider educational initiative aimed at helping cultural institutions create more inclusive, accessible, and supportive environments for visitors across the UK.

A thoughtful challenge

The challenge was a thoughtful one.

Art has the power to provoke emotion, encourage reflection, and start important conversations. However, certain works can also evoke difficult memories, strong emotional responses, or feelings of discomfort for some visitors. The documentary needed to explore these realities in a way that was informative, balanced, and respectful to both audiences and institutions.

Our role was to transform complex conversations into a film that could be understood and applied by organisations nationwide.

Working closely with stakeholders, contributors, and subject matter experts, we developed a documentary that focused on practical learning, lived experience, and meaningful discussion. Rather than presenting the topic through a purely academic lens, the film sought to highlight the human impact of accessibility and the importance of creating spaces where all visitors feel supported.

A considered production approach

The production approach was intentionally considered.

Interviews were designed to encourage open and honest conversation, allowing contributors to share their experiences and perspectives in their own words. The visual style remained calm and unobtrusive, ensuring the focus stayed firmly on the subject matter rather than the filmmaking itself.

Throughout the project, particular attention was given to tone and pacing.

The documentary needed to educate without becoming clinical and address sensitive topics without becoming overwhelming. Every creative decision was guided by the objective of making the content approachable, useful, and relevant for museum and gallery professionals who may be encountering these conversations for the first time.

“Educate without becoming clinical. Address sensitive topics without becoming overwhelming.”

A resource for change

The finished film serves as both an educational resource and a catalyst for discussion.

By combining expert insight, personal experience, and clear storytelling, the documentary provides practical guidance for institutions looking to improve visitor experiences while encouraging a broader conversation about accessibility, wellbeing, and inclusion within cultural spaces.

For Manchester Art Gallery, the project created a valuable resource that could be shared with museums and galleries across the country. For UNDERFOUND Studio, it demonstrated the power of documentary filmmaking as a tool for education, helping organisations communicate important ideas in a way that is engaging, accessible, and memorable.

The project remains a strong example of how thoughtful storytelling can contribute to meaningful change, supporting institutions as they work to create environments where more people can engage with art confidently, comfortably, and on their own terms.