First Run Photo Sensitive Epilepsy Guidelines

This guide will provide the necessary information on Photo Sensitive Epilepsy in First Run Festival submissions.

Photo Sensitive Epilepsy Information (PSE)

What is Photo Sensitive Epilepsy?

  • Photo Sensitive Epilepsy is a form of epilepsy, a condition that can cause seizures
  • These seizures are triggered by a variety of visual stimuli, including certain intensities, frequencies, and patterns of light

What are the PSE flags?

  • When a film is scanned for possible screening issues, any visual sections that may affect epileptic individuals are flagged
  • These are:
    • Extended Flashing
    • Red Flashing
    • Luma Flashing
    • PSE Artifacts (flashing or pattern)
    • Spatial Harmful Pattern

Why was my film flagged for PSE?

  • Although each film is unique and no one answer can be provided, it is still valuable to review the time codes provided
  • There are many causes of PSE flags, which may be as minor as a slight movement from a light source or a slight change in luminance
  • Flagged issues may not be perceptible to the naked eye, but they can still trigger epileptic seizures

How does it affect my ability to screen at First Run?

  • If your film was flagged, you must either remove the section of your film that triggered the flag, or agree to a warning card being placed ahead of your film
  • If you do not do either of these, your film will not screen at First Run