UK cinema operators have come together to host the first ever national week of Autism Friendly Screenings (AFS) – This is to support World Autism Awareness Day which is in its seventh year.
AFS were first introduced by Dimensions, a leading not-for-profit organisation which supports people who experience autism.
AFS have sound levels turned down, the lights left at a low level and people are able to make noise and sit where they feel comfortable.
Screenings include,RIO 2 and MUPPETS MOST WANTED which will take place around the country between Wednesday April 2 and Tuesday April 8. So far over 600 screenings have been confirmed.
More Uk cinemas have started to screen AFS during the past year and World Autism Awareness Day helps to celebrate this.
Cinemas continue to strive to be as inclusive as possible and to find different ways to meet the needs of disabled customers.
This year will see the first ever national week of Autism Friendly Screenings
Cameron Saunders, Managing Director at Twentieth Century Fox UK said:
“Whilst it’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids in RIO 2, we’re delighted to make the wilds of the Amazon a welcoming and inclusive environment on World Autism Awareness Day.”
Roger Harris, COO of ODEON & UCI Cinemas Group also commented:
“Watching a film on the big screen remains a wonderful experience and one that should be accessible to everyone. We are proud of our relationship with Dimensions and continue to value their input to make these screenings as popular and successful as we can.”
Cinemas who are already running AFS have found that they can be a great way to bring people back to the cinema. Phil Clapp, Chief Executive of the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association,said:
“Over the last year or so, an increasing number of UK cinema operators have begun programming autism friendly screenings for their local communities. World Autism Awareness Day provides us with an ideal opportunity to celebrate that fact as well as to look forward to more cinemas joining in. The Autism Friendly Screenings are the latest example of the sector’s ongoing commitment to be as inclusive as possible to find different ways to meet the needs of our disabled customers.”
Participating cinemas include.
Odeon, Cineworld, Vue, Showcase, Empire and Picturehouse Cinemas
For the full list of screenings across the UK and Ireland please visit the website here