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| Author | Zoe Aresti |
World Autism Awareness Day returns on Thursday 2 April and the CEA is once again inviting all members to come together and celebrate by hosting autism friendly screenings around the country.
Autism Friendly Screenings (AFS) are subtlety adapted screenings to create an environment that is welcoming for people with autism, learning disabilities and cognitive disorders. They have sound levels turned down, the lights left at a low level and film-goers are able to make noise and sit where they feel comfortable.
The success of last year’s campaign, both in terms of the numbers of cinemas that participated and of those who attended, really highlighted the importance of AFS to local communities.
The campaign and rise in the number of AFS from both large and small exhibitors is a real testament to the sector’s commitment to grow and support this audience base. Many have now made this a regular feature in their programming, some have added in more screenings, offering a broader range of content, while others have begun to offer such screenings for older audiences.
The CEA isencouraging all exhibitors to participate during a two week period starting on Thursday 26th March – Thursday 8th April. Exhibitors would be required to host at least one AFS in each site, across as many sites as they see feasible. All normal commercial practices will still apply, leaving the number of screenings, timetabling, ticket pricing and what film to screen entirely in your hands.
Promoting your screenings is key to growing this audience base. During this year’s event, Dimensions, The National Autistic Society and YourLocalCinema.com will once again be promoting the confirmed screenings on their websites and emailing details out to their distribution lists. YourLocalCinema.com will act as the central site for all listings and list screenings by geographical location.
To ensure that your screenings are promoted on all platforms and for more information on how best to promote your screenings, or if you are thinking of putting on your first AFS, please contact Grainne at the CEA Grainne.Peat@cinemauk.org.uk.
To date, we know the CEA have nearly 850 screenings pledged – let’s help them reach 900!