Autistic-friendly film initiative expanded (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Odeon to stage more screenings for people with autism

9:10am Friday 14th October 2011 in News

An autism-friendly film screening at a Bradford cinema was so successful the special screenings are to take place each month.

A campaign was started by Dimensions, a specialist provider of support for people with autism and learning disabilities earlier this year, to improve cinema access.

The charity teamed up with cinema group Odeon and a special showing of Mr Popper’s Penguins took place at the Odeon, at the Gallagher Leisure Park in Thornbury, in August, where the lights were left on low, the volume turned down, trailers omitted and people were allowed to move around the cinema or make a noise.

Nationally, more than 3,000 people turned out at 40 cinemas to support the sensory-friendly screenings in 57 Odeon cinemas across the UK.

After this success, the next autism- friendly film screening will be the autumn blockbuster Johnny English Reborn (PG) at 11.30am next Tuesday at the Odeon in Thornbury.

Lisa Hopkins, Dimensions Autism Lead, said: “Some great work already takes place locally by cinemas and support groups to show sensory-friendly screenings, but new mainstream cinema releases have never before been accessible to so many people with autism in the UK.”

For information about up-coming films visit: dimensions-uk.org/autismfriendly

Read more on this story in today's T&A