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!
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.
See an autism friendly screening of Transformers One on Sunday 13th October.
TRANSFORMERS ONE is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. In the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie, TRANSFORMERS ONE features a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi with Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm.
See an autism friendly screening of Paddington 3 on Sunday 10th November.
There’s not that much longer to wait now until Paddington 3 arrives in cinemas, which is a mighty relief, to be honest, considering it’s already been 7 years since the second film came out.
Paddington 3 will feature a mix of new and familiar faces. Ben Whishaw will return, reprising the role of Paddington himself. Other notable cast members making comebacks include Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Imelda Staunton, who voices Paddington’s Aunt Lucy, who lives in Peru.
PADDINGTON IN PERU brings Paddington’s story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
See an autism friendly screening of Red One on Sunday 8th December.
After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
See an autism friendly screening of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on Sunday 6th October at 11am.
The Deetz family return to their iconic home, but trouble is released in the form of Beetlejuice when Astrid opens the portal to the afterlife. Expect brilliant music and mild scares in this fun and faithful sequel.
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.
