The line-up for December’s Autism Friendly Films has been announced and includes family blockbusters The Penguins of Madagascar and Paddington.
In addition, the trial of showing a film for an older audience will continue in 10 selected ODEON cinemas, according to service provider Dimensions.
The first film to be shown will be The Penguins of Madagascar at Cineworld cinemas on Sunday, December 7 at 11am.
On the following Sunday, Showcase will screen Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at 10am, while ODEON will show Paddington at 11:30am.
ODEON will also screen The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, 2D (tbc) on Monday, December 15 at 6pm at 10 cinemas: Birmingham Broadway Plaza, Blanchardstown, Cardiff, Glasgow Quay, Greenwich, Kensington, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford Centre and Wimbledon.
Finally, Vue cinemas will show The Boxtrolls on Sunday December 28 at 10am for just £1.75.
Paddington is the big-screen adaptation of the much-loved children’s book by Michael Bond. In the film, the young bear from Peru arrives alone in London at Paddington Station, and is taken in by the Brown family. While Paddington starts to enjoy his new life – of course, creating havoc along the way – this is threatened when a museum taxidermist spots him and thinks he would make a great addition to the museum.
Meanwhile, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, tells the story of the eponymous hero, for whom every day is a bad day. He gets little sympathy from his family, and so wishes they could all have a bad day. But then his wish comes true and chaos ensues.
The Penguins of Madagascar – a spin off from the Madagascar trilogy – sees the super spy team comprising Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with undercover organisation, The North Wind. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr Octavius Brine from destroying the world as we know it.
In animated adventure The Boxtrolls, based on the children’s novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow, a young orphan boy called Eggs, who is raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors – the Boxtrolls – tries to save his friends, who are seen as a scourge, from an evil exterminator.
Finally, for older viewers, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is the final part of the Hobbit trilogy. This sees Bilbo Baggins and friends forced to engage in a war against an array of enemies and keeping Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth.
Sensory friendly environment
Autism Friendly Screenings are mainstream films shown in a sensory friendly environment. Lights are on low, sound is turned down, trailers are omitted and people can bring their own food, make noise and move around the cinema as they feel comfortable.
To view a full list of participating cinemas visit www.dimensions-uk.org/autismfriendly.
ODEON tickets can be booked on the Wednesday before the screening through the ODEON accessibility helpline number 0800 138 3315. Or book online.
Vue tickets can be booked online or for information call 08712 240 240.
Cineworld tickets can be booked online or for information call 0871 200 2000.
Showcase tickets can be booked online or by calling 0871 220 1000.
