Adler & Associates Entertainment, Inc.
“Survival In Space“
Independent film production, sales & theatrical distribution
Leading audio description built for the film’s full release — its theatrical premiere and every future theatrical, streaming, and home viewing Audio description, in combination with ASL, open captions, and Dolby Atmos, led to recognition by Guinness World Records as the first theatrical presentation to a minimum audience of 250 to combine all four. The film was also submitted for the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards.
“Thank you for the exceptional support Verbit provided in creating the audio description for Survival In Space, which was featured during our July 18, 2026 theatrical presentation. Your expertise played an essential role in helping us provide an inclusive moviegoing experience for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, low-vision, and hearing audiences alike.”
Why Accessibility Was a Priority Built Into the Film "Survival In Space" From Day One
Anderson Fernanders wrote, produced, and directed “Survival In Space,” a science-fiction feature about faith, free will, and redemption, and serves as Theatrical Agent for Adler & Associates Entertainment, Inc. For him, accessibility was never a box to check after the film was finished – it was personal from the start, and it shaped a simple idea he built the film around:
“I have a niece who is deeply immersed in sign language. I wanted her and her friends to be able to see the movie. Then I have a cousin who became blind after she was young. I wanted everybody, no matter what family member came, to be able to receive the messages in the film … Those who can see and those who can’t see. Those who can hear and those who can’t hear.”
Every audience should be able to experience movies like “Survival In Space” together, in the same theater, at the same time — people who are Deaf or blind, or who have hearing loss or low vision, alongside hearing and sighted moviegoers. Audio description was the piece of that vision Fernanders brought to Verbit.
Finding an Effective Audio Description Solution & Partner to Provide Dedicated Support
Knowing that he wanted audio description was one thing. Finding a provider who had room for Fernanders’ project was another.
“I got several no’s, and the reason was, ‘I’m already doing another project.'”
He found Verbit while researching audio description online, noticing that a national organization serving communities of the blind and low-vision referenced audio description awards on its site, which led him to keep digging until he found Verbit’s name.
Initial conversations turned into a full audio description partnership with consistent support and explanation along the way by Verbit’s team. Fernanders had never gone through the process before, and once he decided to trust the team, the film’s audio description came together in two weeks. What earned that trust, he says, was the team itself:
“The process was longer because I was nervous about this and I had to see who Verbit was before I could really trust. Then, I trusted because everybody – I mean, like from the beginning – everybody, every team member at whatever level connected with me and made me feel cool. Eventually I got it to where I didn’t mind spending the money, and I just let you all do it because you all know how to do this.”
Getting the Films Names Right: Verbit’s Custom Terminology Capabilities for Audio Description
Independent films often carry vocabulary that off-the-shelf accessibility tools struggle with – unfamiliar character names, invented terminology, and stylistic choices unique to the story. “Survival In Space” was no exception.
“I had different words that people don’t normally use – names. So just going through that process of them saying, ‘Look, just send me the name and the phonetics to it.’ That’s all they needed. But you know, I was worried about that … [Verbit’s] team was like, ‘We’re good … we’ve got you.’ That was so cool, and that’s what stood out.”
Working from phonetic guidance rather than guesswork meant nothing about the film’s story got lost – or mispronounced – along the way. Verbit’s level of customization offered something most generic audio description technologies or free AD tools can’t guarantee or deliver. That guidance extended well beyond pronunciation, and Fernanders put it plainly afterward:
“One of the things that stood out most to me throughout this project was how patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind everyone at Verbit was. Your team didn’t just provide a service – they took the time to educate me and guide me through the audio description process for Survival In Space… I knew this was the first time, but you all didn’t make me feel bad because of it. The communication and the care and the professionalism that you all have for your craft … it was like I was going to school.”
A Historic Premiere: Audio Description Alongside ASL, Captions, and Dolby Atmos
Before the film reached a public audience, Fernanders arranged a special test screening to confirm the accessibility experience worked as intended in a real theater, inviting guests who are Deaf or blind, or who have hearing loss or low vision. The reaction, he said, was immediate: guests were “ecstatic.” Several told him the combination of tools let them fully engage with a film in a theater for the first time.
On July 18, 2026, “Survival In Space” had its accessible theatrical premiere at Regal Westview Stadium 16 & IMAX in Frederick, Maryland – combining synchronized American Sign Language (ASL) video, open captions, Dolby Atmos immersive sound, and audio description in a single showing, open to moviegoers who are Deaf or blind, or who have hearing loss or low vision, watching alongside hearing audiences. The ASL video and open captions were produced by other partners on the project. Audio description – built to travel with the film well beyond opening night – was Verbit’s contribution to that milestone.
Making History: ‘Survival in Space’ Pursues a Guinness World Record and Academy Recognition for Advancing Accessible Filmmaking
The production submitted the film’s accessible theatrical presentation to Guinness World Records, which opened an adjudication process in March 2026 – initially reviewing US theatrical presentations before expanding the search internationally. The verdict, he says, confirmed what he suspected: no other production, anywhere in the world, had combined ASL, open captions, audio description, and Dolby Atmos in a single theatrical presentation before “Survival In Space.”
The film also caught Hollywood’s attention at the highest level. On July 24, 2026, “Survival In Space” was submitted for consideration for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 2026-2027 Scientific and Technical Awards, and the Academy confirmed receipt of the submission for review by its Scientific and Technical Awards Executive Committee – following earlier consideration for the Oscars, the Independent Spirit Awards, and the Directors Guild of America Awards.
“I really believe in the message of the movie. So I thought it could compete,” Fernanders said.
Word has even reached the exhibition side of the business: Fernanders says the visibility “Survival In Space” has generated led to a direct conversation with the CEO of the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition (DCDC), which represents many of the country’s largest theater chains about accessibility, industry-wide.
“The truth of this is just mind boggling. I thought I was alone,” Fernanders said.
The Untapped Market Hiding in Plain Sight for Filmmakers and Distributors
Fernanders sees audio description and accessible screenings as more than a compliance checkbox – he sees them as an answer to an industry-wide problem: shrinking theatrical attendance.
“Because of my role at Adler, dealing with theaters, I hear conversations that the average moviegoer doesn’t … the dwindling number of people coming to theaters. Theaters are in a panic … This is an untapped market.”
He also points to an overlooked dynamic: the devices that make screenings accessible are often paid for not by theaters, but by the community groups, schools, and families who requested them – which only strengthens the business case for building access in from the start rather than treating it as an afterthought.
“It makes no sense, business-wise, to exclude anybody from seeing the movie. That’s poor business practice. It’s worth investing in all technologies that can include everybody – and the family – to come see.”
His advice to other producers and distributors weighing whether to invest in audio description is direct:
“It’s worth every penny. With Verbit, you don’t have to worry about the professionalism or it not being of good quality. And it won’t take away from your film; it’ll add to the film, so that you can reach every audience, not just some audience.”
What's Next: Bringing Global Audiences Into the Fold on New Projects
Fernanders is already applying what he learned on “Survival In Space” to his next project, “Resurgence,” currently in development while he secures financing. Accessibility is planned in from day one, and he’s thinking beyond ASL, captions, and audio description in English. He wants to bring the film to audiences around the world in multiple languages.
“I want everybody around the world to see Resurgence. I don’t care what language you’re in.”
He’s already built the investment into the project’s budget – the remaining question, he says, is making sure the technology can keep pace with his ambitions.
Beyond Audio Description: One Platform for Every Accessibility Need
Fernanders didn’t know Verbit offered captioning until after “Survival In Space” had already gone through another provider for that piece.
“I didn’t know you all did that. It would have been easier.”
On “Survival In Space,” Verbit’s role was audio description — and that partnership is exactly the kind of starting point that tends to grow. Verbit’s platform also delivers live and recorded captioning, transcription, and translation and localization for global audiences – the same kind of multi-language reach Fernanders is already planning for “Resurgence.”
For a producer or distributor planning their next project, that means audio description, captions, and translation can all come from a single accessibility partner, rather than being pieced together across separate vendors.
Advice for Filmmakers and Producers Considering Audio Description
Fernanders’ experience on “Survival In Space” points to a few practical takeaways for anyone weighing audio description for their own project:
- Start early. Accessibility built into the story from day one is stronger than an add-on.
- You don’t need experience. A good audio description partner will guide you, first project or fifteenth.
- Ask about custom pronunciation. Helpful for unusual names, terminology, or invented language.
- Think beyond one technology solution and one film. With the right partner, tools like captioning, translation, and audio description, and localization efforts can scale together as your catalog grows.
Considering Audio Description for Your Next Project?
Whether you’re an independent filmmaker preparing for a festival premiere, a producer planning a theatrical release, or a studio managing a full content library, Verbit’s AI audio description and professional AD services help media and entertainment teams reach audiences who are Deaf or blind, or who have hearing loss or low vision, alongside hearing and sighted audiences – without compromising the creative vision of the work. Learn more about Verbit’s audio description services for film, TV, and streaming, or schedule a demo with Verbit’s media team to talk through your next project.
About Adler & Associates Entertainment, Inc.
Adler & Associates Entertainment, Inc. is an international sales agency and full-service media company with more than 50 years of combined experience in film sales and distribution, working with major studios, streaming platforms, and networks across markets including Cannes, the European Film Market (EFM), and the American Film Market (AFM).
