10127789WatchWord back-catalogue functionalityClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKWatchWord is an always-on, smart glasses-based closed captioning system for film which has been developed by Built For Good with support from the UK Cinema Association (UKCA - the membership organisation for UK cinema exhibitors) and Innovate UK's Creative Catalyst programme. It incorporates a front-end user app which sits on EPSON smart glasses enabling people to control how their captions are displayed, and a back-end management server which sources closed captions from the playback system and distributes them to the right glasses. Two independent cinemas have already licensed the system since it was launched at the end of April 2024 and more installations are in the pipeline. This project will allow us to address a remaining gap in provision for deaf audiences who love film by enabling closed-captioning of back-catalogue and independent titles. BFG has worked with a software development company to conceive a solution to this problem and Create Growth funding will allow us to test and refine the proposal before we trial it with Deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing audiences at two cinemas with a mixed programme of back catalogue titles and new releases. The new functionality created through this project will enhance BFG's existing product, WatchWord, thereby further increasing consumer access within the UK's cinema industry, which generated £979m in ticket revenues in 2023\. Upon project completion, the additional functionality will be built into our existing sales and marketing strategy for WatchWord to drive our company's growth and to ensure that people with hearing loss have equal access to cinema both here in the UK and worldwide.