Cinemas to stage special dedicated events.
Two major cinema chains are excited to be hosting dedicated autism friendly cinema screenings this month in Birmingham. These screenings are part of a long-standing partnership with Dimensions UK, a not-for-profit social care provider for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Odeon cinemas at Broad Street and Birmingham Broadway Plaza show their autism friendly screening on a different Sunday each month. For a limited time Odeon are trialing films for older audiences at nine cinemas across the country, including Birmingham Broadway Plaza.
This month’s general autism friendly screening is Beauty and the Beast, showing on Sunday 26th March at 10.15am. This month’s film for older audiences is TBC, showing on Monday 27th March at 6pm.
Vue cinema at StarCity shows their autism friendly screening on the last Sunday of every month at 10.15am. This month’s film is TBC on Sunday 26th March.
These partnerships allow Dimensions to advise on adjustments for people with autism and sensory differences to enjoy watching films in an environment conducive to their needs and for parents to enjoy the trip knowing they are in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Adjustments include the lights left on low, the volume turned down, no trailers and the freedom for visitors to move around freely within the cinema screen.
Dimensions began the project in August 2011 with just ODEON cinemas – since then the screenings have grown in popularity, welcoming around 300,000 visits to date. Cineworld, Vue and Showcase cinemas have also since joined the partnership.
Nick Barratt, Head of Behaviour Support at Dimensions said: “Autism friendly screenings are so important for both families and individuals who can feel excluded from the traditional cinema experience because they find the experience too stressful due to sensory overload.
“The screenings enable them to watch a wider variety of films, more frequently, in an environment conducive to their needs. We have seen how successful such initiatives can be – so far we’ve had over 300,000 visits to local cinemas for an autism friendly screening. We are excited about the prospect of building upon that further.”
The initiative is part of a wider Dimensions campaign to create more autism friendly environments around the UK. For more information and booking details, visit www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfilms