July 19, 2011 1.54 pm This story is over 158 months old

Odeon hosts Autism friendly films

Film night: Families with autistic members can now enjoy trips to the similar with special nights.

Odeon Cinema and autistic charity Dimensions have teamed up to launch Autism Friendly Films.

The project aims to allow people with autism across the country enjoy going to the cinema and watching films in a relaxed environment.

The partnership means that people who can find the volume and lighting difficult to cope with can be in theatre suited to their needs, as well as watching enjoyable films.

To celebrate the pairing, autistic families have been invited to an 11am celebratory premier on August 11 at Odeon Brayford Wharf North, showing Mr Popper’s Penguins (PG).

If the premier is successful, Odeon will be hosting more of the events in the future.

Director of Specialist Development at Dimensions Lisa Hopkins said: “One in a hundred people in England and Wales are diagnosed with autism and yet society isn’t always suited to the needs of people on the autism spectrum.

“The cinema experience can be a particularly challenging environment but it is one that can be made accessible by good partnership working.

“The launch of  Autism Friendly Films is all about inclusion. As an organisation we would like to get people talking and thinking about other ways in which society can be more inclusive to everyone.”

Chief Executive Officer of ODEON Cinemas Roger Harris said: “We very much wanted to work with Dimensions to offer a cinema experience to people who wouldn’t normally find it easy to come to see a film.

“We all know that watching a film on the big screen is a wonderful experience and it is one that should be accessible to everyone.

“Working with Dimensions has raised our awareness about the needs of people with autism.”

Source: City of Lincoln Council