What Is An Autism Friendly Screening? Your Guide To Accessible Cinema

Going to the cinema is something many of us take for granted, but for people with autism and sensory sensitivities, a standard film showing can be overwhelming and stressful. That’s where autism friendly screenings come in. These special cinema sessions make a few simple but important changes to help everyone enjoy the big screen experience.

This guide tells you everything you need to know about what is an autism friendly screening, which UK cinemas offer them, and how they make the cinema more welcoming for everyone. If you’ve wondered what is an autism friendly cinema screening or how these special showings differ from regular cinema experiences, you’ll find all the answers here.

Key Takeaways

• What Makes Screenings Autism-Friendly: Learn about the key adjustments cinemas make during autism friendly screenings, including dimmed lights, reduced sound, and a relaxed atmosphere.
• UK Cinemas Offering These Services: Discover which major cinema chains provide autism friendly cinema screenings, including Odeon autism friendly screenings, Cineworld autism friendly sessions, and even Showcase cinema autism friendly options.
• Practical Help for Cinema Visits: Find out about the CEA Card scheme that lets carers attend for free, and other ways to make cinema trips easier for people with autism.

What Is An Autism Friendly Screening?

What is an autism friendly screening? Put simply, it’s a special cinema showing designed with people with autism in mind. These sessions create a more relaxed and comfortable environment by making several important changes to the typical cinema experience. Many people ask what is an autism friendly cinema screening specifically, and the answer lies in the adjustments made to create a sensory-friendly environment.

During an autism friendly screening, the lights stay dimmed but on, helping people feel more secure in their surroundings. The volume is turned down to prevent the loud noises that can be distressing for people with sensory sensitivities. The film starts right away without the usual 20-30 minutes of adverts and trailers beforehand. Perhaps most importantly, there’s no pressure to sit still or stay quiet throughout the film. People can move around, talk, or make noise without judgment.

These adjustments help create a space where people with autism and their families can relax and enjoy films without the anxiety that might come with a standard cinema visit. It’s about making the cinema autism friendly and accessible for everyone.

Major UK Cinemas Offering Autism Friendly Screenings

Many cinema chains across the UK now regularly offer autism friendly screenings. Here’s what you need to know about the main options:

Odeon Autism Friendly Screenings

Odeon autism friendly screenings are available at over 90 locations throughout the UK and Ireland. Odeon was one of the first chains to work with Dimensions, a charity supporting people with autism and learning disabilities, to create these special showings.

What is an Odeon autism friendly screening like? These sessions run one Sunday morning each month with all the typical adjustments – lights on low, sound reduced, and a relaxed atmosphere where people can feel free to move around as needed. The Odeon cinema autism friendly approach ensures that films are shown in a welcoming environment.

The autism friendly Odeon approach aims to help cinema-goers become more comfortable with the cinema setting at their own pace. Since starting their Odeon autism friendly screenings programme, they’ve received positive feedback from families who previously couldn’t enjoy cinema trips together.

Cineworld Autism Friendly Cinema

Cineworld autism friendly screenings have been running since 2012, making them one of the pioneers in this area. More than 100 Cineworld autism friendly screenings take place across the UK on the first Sunday of each month at 11am.

The autism friendly cinema Cineworld experience includes the standard sensory adjustments – lower sound, dimmed lights rather than darkness, and a relaxed environment where movement and noise are welcomed. Many families appreciate the consistent schedule of autism friendly screening Cineworld sessions, making it easier to plan monthly cinema visits.

Autism friendly Cineworld screenings have become a regular fixture for many families affected by autism, providing a reliable monthly opportunity to enjoy the latest family films. The autism friendly cinema Cineworld approach focuses on creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and comfortable.

Vue Cinemas Autism Friendly Showings

Vue Cinemas hosts autism friendly cinema sessions on the last Sunday of every month at most of their locations. These sensory-friendly screenings offer the same helpful adjustments – dimmed lighting, lower sound levels, and no adverts or trailers before the film.

Vue makes it clear that everyone attending these screenings is welcome to move around, make noise, or take breaks whenever needed, creating a truly relaxed environment. Their commitment to autism friendly cinema screenings has made Vue a popular choice for many families.

Picturehouse Cinemas

Picturehouse Cinemas runs their autism friendly screenings on the third Sunday of each month. These sessions are designed for people with autism, learning disabilities, and other sensory sensitivities.

As with other chains, the lights stay on at a low level, sound is reduced, and there are no trailers or adverts. Picturehouse also offers older family films at these screenings with reduced ticket prices, making them an affordable option.

Showcase Cinema Autism Friendly Screenings

Showcase cinema autism friendly screenings are another excellent option available at selected locations. Showcase has been expanding their accessible screenings programme, with a focus on creating a comfortable environment for people with sensory sensitivities.

The Showcase cinema autism friendly approach includes all the standard adjustments – dimmed lights, reduced sound, no adverts or trailers, and a relaxed, judgment-free atmosphere. These screenings typically take place on second Sunday mornings of each month, adding another option for families looking for autism friendly cinema screenings.

Arc Cinemas Sensory Screenings

Arc Cinemas also provides sensory-friendly screenings for people with autism and their families. These autism friendly cinema screenings feature the same helpful adjustments – reduced volume, low lighting, and freedom to move around.

The Arc Cinemas approach focuses on creating a supportive space where everyone feels welcome to enjoy a trip to the cinema without worrying about disturbing others.

What To Expect At An Autism Friendly Screening

When you attend an autism friendly screening, the experience is designed to be less overwhelming than a typical cinema visit. Before the film, many cinemas open their doors early to reduce queuing stress. Cinema staff at these screenings often receive special training to better understand and support people with autism. Most cinemas will let you bring your own food and drinks, which can be helpful for those with specific dietary needs or food sensitivities.

During the film, the screen area isn’t plunged into complete darkness, making it easier to see your surroundings. The volume is reduced to prevent sensory overload from loud scenes. You’re free to move around, talk, or make noise during the film without judgment, and you can leave and re-enter the screening room as needed. Having this control over your cinema experience can make all the difference for people with autism and their families or carers.

Making Cinema More Affordable: The CEA Card

A trip to the cinema can be made more affordable for disabled guests and their carers with the CEA Card. This scheme was set up by the UK Cinema Association to make cinema more accessible for everyone.

What Is The CEA Card?

The CEA Card allows disabled cinema-goers to bring a carer or companion with them for free. The cardholder buys a standard ticket for themselves, and their companion gets in at no extra cost.

This card is accepted at most UK cinemas, including all the major chains that offer autism friendly screenings, such as Odeon autism friendly and Cineworld autism friendly showings.

How To Apply For A CEA Card

Getting a CEA Card is straightforward. Visit the CEA Card website, complete the application form, provide proof of disability (like Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, or Attendance Allowance), and pay the £6.00 annual fee. Once approved, your card is valid for a year and can be used for as many cinema trips as you like during that time.

Overall

Autism friendly screenings have transformed cinema-going for many people with autism and their families. By making simple but effective adjustments to the traditional cinema experience, these special showings create a space where everyone can enjoy the magic of film without stress or anxiety.

Whether you’re looking for an Odeon autism friendly screening, a Cineworld autism friendly showing, or sessions at other major chains, there are more options than ever before. With regular screenings across the UK, the CEA Card scheme to make visits more affordable, and increasingly well-trained staff, cinema is becoming more accessible to all.

The growth of autism friendly cinema screenings across the UK shows a commitment to inclusion that goes beyond just ticking boxes. From autism friendly Odeon events to Cineworld autism friendly screenings, these initiatives represent an important step towards a more inclusive society where entertainment and leisure activities are designed with everyone’s needs in mind. For many families, an autism friendly cinema visit isn’t just about seeing a film – it’s about being able to share a normal, enjoyable experience together without judgment or stress.