Leading social care provider Dimensions is pleased to announce that Autism Friendly Films will be screened twice every month because of its new partnership with a second national cinema chain.
Not-for-profit organisation Dimensions, which supports people who experience autism and people with learning disabilities, has partnered with Cineworld to extend its Autism Friendly Film initiative. The screenings will now take place in more than 100 cinemas across the UK every two weeks as Dimensions joins forces with both Cineworld and its first partner, ODEON.
Dimensions and ODEON began their project in August 2011 and since then the screenings have grown in popularity. It is the first time a social care provider has partnered with two entertainment companies in this way, offering a wider choice for cinema goers.
The unique partnerships allow Dimensions to advise on adjustments necessary for people with autism and sensory differences to enjoy watching films in an environment conducive to their needs. These include the lights being left on low, volume turned down and no trailers.
Lisa Hopkins, executive director of practice development at Dimensions, said having two such partnerships would provide more opportunities for people with autism to be included in their communities. The project is an element of the organisation’s focus to provide more inclusive environments for people with autism.
“We are really pleased to be partnering with Cineworld to extend this important and successful project even further. People who can sometimes be excluded from the traditional cinema experience, because they may find the sensory experience too difficult to manage, will be able to watch a wider variety of films, more frequently, in an environment conducive with their needs. These opportunities are important stepping stones towards full inclusion in mainstream cinemas,” said Lisa.
“The cinema experience can be a particularly challenging environment but it is one that can be made accessible by good partnership working. We have seen how successful such initiatives can be – in just the first year more than 21,000 people watched the screenings we organised with ODEON – and we are excited about the prospect of building upon that further.”
Jo Cook, who supports two people to attend to Autism Friendly Film Screenings, said: “It's a fabulous idea that I hope continues for years to come. It's wonderful seeing children thoroughly enjoying themselves who otherwise would not be able attend for many different reasons. We look forward to the next film showing.”
Tamlin McKinnon, head of customer services at Cineworld, said “Cineworld are delighted to be teaming up with Dimensions to extend the range of screenings that we show and welcome in an audience who may have previously felt the cinema experience off-putting.”
Cineworld will provide Autism Friendly Screenings every month across 21 of their cinemas. The first screening will be Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger on December 2 at 11am. ODEON’s next Autism Friendly Film Screening, across more than 80 cinemas, will also be Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger on December 16th at 11.30am.
For more information and booking details, visit www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfilms
Notes to the editor
For more information or interviews please contact Kayley Worsley, PR and communications officer at Dimensions: (e) kayley.worsley@dimensions-uk.org (t) 0114 2412112 (m) 07983477838
Autism Friendly Film Screenings have sound levels turned down, the lights left up at a low level and film-goers are able to make noise and sit where they feel comfortable.
Dimensions is a leading specialist not-for-profit provider of support for people with autism and/ or learning disabilities. It supports about 3,000 people in England and Wales. For more information go to www.dimensions-uk.org
A full list of participating cinemas and details regarding locations, facilities and accessibility can be found at www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfilms , www.cineworld.co.uk or www.odeon.co.uk
Cineworld Group plc was founded in 1995 and is now one of the leading cinema groups in the UK. The group currently operates 79 sites, of which 76 are multiplex sites with five screens or more.
With over 75 years of cinema experience, ODEON owns and manages 887 screens at 113 sites across the UK and Ireland. The group operates 1900 screens and 210 sites across Europe as a whole.
