Parkway Cinema in Beverley will be expanding the number of films they screen that especially for people with Autism as they look to back an national incentive.
Currently Parkways Cinema screen one a film per month but as part of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, the cinema at Flemingate will increase this to three.
Cliff Baillie of Parkway Cinema Beverley speaking to HU7.net said;
“We have been doing the Autism friendly screenings every month since we opened in Beverley.”
“There is quite a big drive going on around the cinemas all over the country who are participating to extend screenings around world Autism Day.”
“We are doing a special screening on the day and also have two either side of World Autism Awareness Day so meaning we will be screening three films in the month.”
“Screenings with reduced sound levels, increased lighting and advert-free content allow the audience group, their families and carers to be comfortable and feel fully included in the unique experience of a trip to the cinema.”
“People on the Autistic Spectrum can be sensitive to noise, and we learnt some do not like the darkness too much. Their attention span can also be low, so we remove the adverts and get into the film a lot quicker.”
Mr. Baillie said that as a cinema, they worked with families in order to adapt their screenings to make them suitable for Autistic people, he said;
“We have taken a lot of guidance from when we first did the first screening here. We had a family come in, and they gave us feedback.”
“We are pleased to say they had a thoroughly good time so hopefully we are doing it right and can continue to do so.”
Uptake in Beverley has been slow though Mr. Baillie is confident that over time, more people will attend their regular screenings, he said;
“At the moment, the moment we usually get a few families coming in and hopefully this will increase, but it takes a little time to get the word of mouth going around that we offer this type of screening.”
Special screening dates are;
Thursday 31st March @ 17:30 – Eddie the Eagle (PG)
Saturday 2nd April @10:30 – Batman v Superman (12a)
Sunday 10th April @ 10:30 – Zootropolis (PG)
