BBC article. About 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum, according to the National Autistic Society Five times as many males as females are diagnosed Autism is under-diagnosed in females
A fascinating and moving documentary about how an autistic boy learned to communicate through Disney films. This outstanding documentary uses home movies, present-day footage and specially commissioned animation to provide insights into Owen’s childhood and remarkable story. Oscar®-winning director Roger Ross Williams has made a joyous and mesmerising film that’s a celebration of difference, diversity … More
Sharif Persaud takes us on a journey along a coastal path and into his personal experience of autism, all the while dressed in one of his favourite celebrity masks – Al Murray. He tells us about the questions he asks when he’s wearing the mask, his medical interests and what happened when his house caught … More
The Autism in Pink project was an EU Lifelong Learning Programme funded partnership between four European organisations to research and educate about autism (including Asperger syndrome) in women.
Relaxed screenings are screenings where the environment has been adapted to be more welcoming and accessible to people with additional needs.
These could be people living with dementia, autism, or other neurodiverse people. These screenings are identifiable by some adjustments such as altered lighting, volume of sound, arrangement of the venue, and usually don’t have trailers, and customers are encouraged to get up and move around, or speak or make noise if they want to/feel the need to. Screenings are usually introduced so that everyone attending realises talking and movement is allowed.
Here is a list to signpost you to some UK venues who currently host Relaxed Screenings or Autism-Friendly Screenings:
Manchester | Relaxed events at HOME
Greenock | Fun Film Club at the Waterfront
Dunoon | Autism Friendly screenings at Studio Cinema
London | Relaxed Screenings at BFI Southbank
Leeds | Relaxed Screenings at Hyde Park Picture House
Glasgow | Take 2 Access at Glasgow Film Theatre
Glasgow | Access Film Club at Glasgow Film Theatre
Belfast, Glengormley & Coleraine | Autism friendly screenings at Movie House Cinemas
Stockton | Relaxed performances and screenings at ARC
Dundee | Relaxed Screenings at DCA
Worthing | Autism Friendly screenings at Worthing Theatres
Neath | Relaxed Screenings at Gwyn Hall
Walsall, Dudley, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester & Coventry | Autism Friendly Screenings at Showcase Cinemas
Saffron Walden | Relaxed Screenings at Saffron Screen
London | Relaxed Screenings at Barbican
Hebden Bridge | Autism Friendly (Relaxed) Screenings at Hebden Bridge Picture House
Birmingham | Relaxed events and screenings at Mac
Canterbury | Accessible film screenings at Gulbenkian
Chester | Relaxed Screenings at Storyhouse
Merlin Cinemas | Penzance, Redruth, Falmouth, Torquay, Ilfracombe, Okehampton, Coleford, Cromer, Kingsbridge, Prestatyn | Autism friendly screenings at Merlin Cinemas
The Life and Death of an Anonymous Autistic Man. An experimental film installation invites the viewer to confront the question of mortality and the role that pathology and the dehumanisation of the self has within the lived experience of autism. Directed by Daniel Bendelman. Produced by DYSPLA.
Blog: I’m an undergraduate film student at Queen Mary University of London and I love film. I make films, I write about them too, and I’m hoping to one day work in the industry.
Project Overview A strategic project as part of Film Hub Wale’s Diversity & Access strand for 2015/16, developed in response to both audience and member demand. Contact a Family are a national charity that support families with children who have a range of sensory needs and learning difficulties. In 2015, Film Hub Wales awarded support … More
A handbook for embracing neurodiversity in the creative industries.
FAN supported BFI Musicals in autumn 2019. This was a nationwide cinema season celebrating the spectacle and craft of Musicals on film. This major season was led by BFI, Independent Cinema Office and Film Audience Network (FAN).
FAN member cinemas could access screening support to present films, mini seasons or events as part of the season. With screening support, they received help to fund their own independent programming and events plus support to do wrap around activity related to the seasons core titles.
For exhibitors who wanted to include Captioned Subtitles on their screenings, Sweet Charity was bookable from the ICO touring programme. Tommy and Singin’ in the Rain was available from the BFI.
Exhibitors who wanted to run a Dementia-Friendly screening, could take a look at our downloads section. Screenings are adapted to make the environment more suitable for people living with dementia. You can find more about running dementia-friendly screenings here. Dementia-friendly screenings are also sometimes called Relaxed Screenings, though these can also be suitable for people with multi sensory sensitivities or different conditions such as autism or learning disabilities.
Exhibitors who were interested in running a relaxed screening, could find out more in our quick tips for running relaxed screenings. There is also some transferable advice in our autism-friendly screenings guide, though bear in mind much of this advice is specific to people living with autism, not necessarily those who are Learning Disabled. Ideally, consult with Learning Disabled groups in your area for advice and expertise.
