Cinéall
Cinéall is a Montreal-based, deaf-created video and film production house, founded in 1999, specializing in LSQ/ASL content adaptation, accessibility consulting, and full-service audiovisual production for the Quebec deaf community, government bodies, and inclusive corporate clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cinéall does
Cinéall (legal name: Cinéall Production des Sourds) is a privately held video and film production house headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1999 by Sylvain Gélinas, who was born profoundly deaf and later diagnosed with Usher syndrome, the company is positioned as the only deaf-created and managed production house in Quebec. Its core offering is end-to-end audiovisual production (pre-production, production, and post-production) with a specialized accessibility layer: adaptation of French and English content into Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and American Sign Language (ASL). Ancillary services include accessibility consulting, custom training programs, studio rental, and event capture. Its primary customers are deaf creators and the broader Quebec deaf community, public-sector/government bodies that require accessibility-compliant content, and corporate enterprises pursuing inclusive communications. Distribution is regional (Quebec/Canada) with incidental international visibility through film-festival circuits such as SignLight in Hollywood (2024).
The company's core technology and production approach combine conventional video production workflows (scriptwriting, storyboarding, ViScript, video capture, editing) with bilingual sign-language adaptation by deaf-native professionals. Service delivery is project-based and direct-to-client, with pricing handled through contact-based quoting rather than public disclosure. The core team is five people (the founder, a director of photography/editor, a project manager in communications, an assistant cameraman/editor, and a development manager/director), supplemented by founder-led award-winning creative work (over 20 productions in 25+ years; 2015 Best Experimental Film for 'Bravo!'; 2024 SignLight Festival selection for 'Passagère').
Cinéall monetizes through professional-services project contracts across four streams: video production services, accessibility adaptation services, studio rental (one-time license), and training/consultation. There is no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no public revenue figure. The go-to-market motion blends community-led engagement within the Quebec deaf community, event-driven visibility through festivals and live-event capture, and direct outreach to governments and enterprises needing accessibility adaptation. Ownership remains concentrated with the founder; Martin Boucher has also acted in a leadership capacity, serving as interim director during Gélinas's 2020-2022 absence.
Cinéall firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cinéall
- Legal name
- Cinéall Production des Sourds
- Website
- https://cineall.tv
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cinéall is a Montreal-based, deaf-created video and film production house, founded in 1999, specializing in LSQ/ASL content adaptation, accessibility consulting, and full-service audiovisual production for the Quebec deaf community, government bodies, and inclusive corporate clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cinéall industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH), Video Conferencing for Education (Education-Optimized Meetings/Webinars) (EDAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Cinéall is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cinéall business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Video Production Services: Full-service video production including pre-production, production, and post-production for events, corporate content, and creative projects. Revenue generated through project-based contracts.
- Accessibility Adaptation Services: Adaptation of content into LSQ and ASL for websites, information capsules, government publications, and enterprise content. Includes making minutes and other documents accessible.
- Studio Rental: Video production studio rental available on request for external clients needing professional filming facilities.
- Training and Consultation: Personalized consulting on audiovisual production and accessibility, plus custom training programs for organizations.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Cinéall product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cinéall is a deaf-owned and managed video and film production house in Quebec that delivers end-to-end audiovisual production services (pre-production, production, and post-production) with specialization in adapting French and English content into Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and American Sign Language (ASL). The company also provides event video capture, custom training programs, accessibility consulting, and on-request studio rental for clients needing filming facilities.
Product overview
Cinéall operates as a unified video and cinema production house offering a comprehensive suite of audiovisual services centered on accessibility for the deaf community. The core offerings include video production (Production vidéo) with adaptation in Langue des Signes Québécois (LSQ) and American Sign Language (ASL), video capture and direction (Captation vidéo et réalisation), and training and consulting services (Formation et consultation). Studio rental is available as an add-on service. All products and services are designed to bridge the deaf and hearing worlds through accessible audiovisual content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Production vidéo (Video Production) Full-service video production offering pre-production, production, and post-production for clients, with specialization in adapting content into Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and American Sign Language (ASL) for accessibility to deaf audiences. Targeted at government bodies, enterprises, cultural organizations, and event organizers.
- Captation vidéo et réalisation (Video Capture and Direction) Video capture services for events and personalized creative projects, including custom video production, script development, storyboarding, and ViScript, making captured content accessible through informative videos. Targeted at event organizers, enterprises, and creative producers.
- Formation et consultation (Training and Consulting) Personalized consulting services in audiovisual production and accessibility, plus custom training programs for organizations seeking to improve their accessibility practices. Targeted at corporate clients, institutions, and organizations building internal accessibility capabilities.
- Location de studio de tournage (Studio Rental) Professional video production studio available for rental on request to external clients needing filming facilities. Targeted at production teams, creators, and organizations requiring equipped studio space.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20 film productions by founder Sylvain Gélinas in 25+ years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cinéall
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cinéall technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Cinéall partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cinéall competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sorenson Communications: Large US-based provider of sign language interpretation, video relay, and accessibility services. Provides a useful comparable for the scale of accessibility services that exists in larger markets and signals the potential upside path for Cinéall if it expanded beyond Quebec.
- Accessible Media Inc. (AMI): Canada's largest accessibility-focused media company, producing ASL/LSQ content and operating accessible television channels across Canada. Comparable to Cinéall in mission (deaf and disability accessibility content) but much broader in scope, serving as a national incumbent in a market where Cinéall is a niche Quebec specialist.
- Red Bee Media: Global broadcast and media services provider including accessibility services (captioning, subtitling, audio description). Comparable to Cinéall as a large-scale operator of accessibility content adaptation for institutional and media clients.
Direct peers
- CaptionMax: North American provider of captioning, subtitling, and audio description services for broadcast, corporate, and government clients. Directly comparable in delivering accessibility-format media production services and in serving regulated-accessibility demand.
- National Captioning Canada: Canadian captioning and accessible media services provider serving broadcast and institutional clients. Comparable to Cinéall in delivering accessibility content adaptation services within Canada and in competing for the same government and institutional accessibility contracts.
Emerging players
- Hand Talk: Brazilian startup providing AI-driven sign language translation using a virtual avatar, including Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) and American Sign Language. Relevant as an emerging technology-driven competitor that could pressure human-led LSQ/ASL adaptation economics over time.
- The ASL App: Mobile-first platform delivering conversational ASL video content created by deaf signers. Comparable niche and audience (deaf community) to Cinéall but delivered via a consumer app model rather than B2B production services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cinéall social profiles
Digital presenceCinéall financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cinéall leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Cinéall funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cinéall M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cinéall
What does Cinéall do?
Cinéall is a deaf-owned and managed video and film production house in Quebec that delivers end-to-end audiovisual production services (pre-production, production, and post-production) with specialization in adapting French and English content into Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and American Sign Language (ASL). The company also provides event video capture, custom training programs, accessibility consulting, and on-request studio rental for clients needing filming facilities.
Is Cinéall a public or private company?
Cinéall is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cinéall founded?
Cinéall was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cinéall based?
Cinéall is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Cinéall make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Video Production Services are the primary driver. The others are accessibility Adaptation Services, studio Rental and training and Consultation.
Who are Cinéall's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sorenson Communications, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and Red Bee Media. Direct peers are CaptionMax and National Captioning Canada. Emerging players are Hand Talk and The ASL App.
Does Cinéall have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cinéall.
What industry is Cinéall in?
Cinéall's product category is Video Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAGAC, Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description), with a secondary code of EDAGALAH, Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.