We really want to applaud these cinemas ODEON, VUE, CINEWORLD, SHOWCASE & PICTUREHOUSE for hosting sensory friendly screenings of some great movies. These are made to be an inclusive and very welcoming environment for people with sensory sensitivities and their loved ones.

Understandably, the team at DIMENSIONS, one of the country’s largest not-for-profits supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, challenging behaviour and complex needs, are thrilled that after a challenging year, autism friendly cinema screenings are back!

After a challenging year, autism friendly cinema screenings are back!

Here at SOUTH WALES LIFE we echo that sentiment as we are great believers, and supporters of these screenings and the positive benefits they bring.

Autism friendly screenings are sometimes called relaxed or sensory friendly screenings. Adjustments are made to reduce stress and sensory input, such as low lighting and sound, freedom to move and staff trained in autism awareness.

These screenings would never have started or even continue in the way they do if it wasn’t for an incredible organisation called DIMENSIONS. They began, in a very small way, back in 1976. They we’re supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs out of institutions, helping them lead ordinary lives in their local communities.

All these years later and they’re pretty much the same, although with a huge amount of experience and extraordinary talent behind them They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives.

In many ways these screenings act as a transition into regular cinema screenings for some, while making the cinema more inclusive and accessible for everyone who feels they will benefit from the environment.

Sensory friendly adjustments include

  • Sound and lights on low
  • No trailers
  • Freedom to move around
  • Take your own food and drink
  • Free entry for carers with a valid CEA Card

They offer these special screening in participating cinemas all across South Wales. If you are travelling around the country however and want to go to one of these special screenings just check on the DIMENSIONS link or the relevant cinema. These are so important and inclusive and the positive reaction is always good to hear…..

“Although I do not have autism I went to an autism friendly screening of The Good Dinosuar because I have hypervigilance, anxiety and hallucinations…I forgot to take my anxiety medication and I was still relaxed regardless! Thank you Dimensions…the cinema is now accessible.”

Jake absolutely loves going to the cinema and the Autism Friendly Screenings make his passion an absolute pleasure. See his story HERE.

CINEWORLD

See an autism-friendly screening of Kung Fu Panda 4 on the 7th April at 11am.

This spring, for the first time in almost a decade, comedy icon Jack Black returns to his role as Po, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master, with a hilarious, butt-kicking new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s beloved action-comedy franchise: Kung Fu Panda 4.

After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Golden Globe nominee Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

The film features the voice talent of returning stars Academy Award® winner Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master, Shifu; James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping; Academy Award® nominee Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father, Li, and Emmy Award nominee Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Oscar® winner Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves.

Kung Fu Panda 4 is directed by Mike Mitchell (DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, Shrek Forever After) and produced by Rebecca Huntley (DreamWorks Animation’s The Bad Guys). The film’s co-director is Stephanie Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power). In 2008, the Academy Award®-nominated 2008 inaugural chapter, Kung Fu Panda, became DreamWorks Animation’s highest-grossing original animated film and launched a franchise that has earned more than $1.8 billion at the global box-office.

KUNG FU PANDA 4

SHOWCASE

ODEON

PICTUREHOUSE

See an autism-friendly screening of Wish on 21st April

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

VUE

To see a map of all participating cinemas go HERE and check out the area you’re looking for. And to see what Dimensions are up to and how they can support you, just head to their site – DIMENSIONS.