No. You can buy your ticket at your local cinema on the day of the screening. There have been some instances where Autism Friendly Film Screenings have sold out so if this is a concern, you may wish to book your ticket in advance. If you require a wheelchair space we recommend that you do book your ticket in advance as there are limited wheelchair spaces.
Tickets can be booked from the Wednesday before the cinema screening, and you can be notified of when the tickets go on sale by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or signing up for our weekly e-news bulletin.
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You can pay by cash, debit card or credit card at the participating cinema. You can pay by credit/debit card from the ODEON website or by calling the accessibility helpline number 0800 138 3315 (between 11am and 8pm) on the Wednesday before each screening.
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You can contact the ODEON accessibility helpline on 0800 138 3315 between 11am and 8pm from 4pm on the Wednesday before the film screens in order to pay for your ticket via credit/debit card and book a free space for your carer/support worker.
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There are over 50 ODEON cinemas taking part in Autism Friendly Film Screenings each month. Find your closest participating cinema.
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There are over 50 cinemas across the UK taking part in Autism Friendly Film Screenings. We have tried hard to ensure a good geographical spread and to improve people's access to the cinema. Some cinemas do not have the right physical access to screen the films and some have other commitments on the days that autism friendly films are screening.
However, if you feel that there is support for Autism Friendly Film Screenings in your area please contact ODEON through their website and they can consider this in any future expansion of the programme.
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Yes. The participating cinemas all have wheelchair access but please book in advance as spaces are limited. Other accommodations are made to the auditorium environment to make it more accessible for people with sensory differences. Lights are left on low, the volume is turned down, people can move around the cinema and make noise as they feel comfortable.
You are welcome to contact your local participating cinema before the Autism Friendly Film Screening to see the layout and get used to the environment.
A mother, Lynn Williams shared the guide she wrote for her son, to prepare him for their trip to the cinema in August. Inside the ODEON cinema at the Trafford Centre.
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No. A CEA Card stands for Cinema Exhibitors Association Card. These are produced by cinemas collectively in the UK. By purchasing one, a person who is in receipt of disability allowance can take a carer or a support worker into the cinema with them for free. If the person you support goes to the cinema regularly it may be worth them getting one of these cards but for the purpose of Autism Friendly Film Screenings, it is possible to support someone to attend and get in for free without having to produce a CEA Card.
If you do not have a CEA Card you may be asked to show some form of ID upon attending the cinema; such as a workers card or ID badge. For more details about the CEA Card and how to purchase one please visit http://www.ceacard.co.uk
Each of the cinemas taking part in Autism Friendly Film Screenings have different numbers of wheelchair spaces and the number of wheelchair users that can be accommodated in each screen is limited due to building and safety. The best way to ensure that you have a wheelchair space is to book your tickets at the earliest opportunity.
Tickets are usually available from the Wednesday before the screening and people can book tickets through the ODEON website or though the ODEON accessibility helpline 0800 138 3315.
When booking a wheelchair space through the ODEON website a seating plan will be shown to you and you will be required to choose the wheelchair accessible seat. The website will ask if you have a CEA Card and if you tick yes, one more seat will automatically be reserved for you. If you do not have a CEA Card but require a free accompanying seat or have any problems with booking your space online please use the ODEON accessibility helpline on 0800 138 3315 between 11am and 8pm.
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Yes. Autism Friendly Film Screenings are where mainstream films are shown in a sensory friendly environment. People are more likely to enjoy the film without the risk of being told to be quiet or sit down because it is not expected that they will be silent or stay seated at all times, as it is in other cinema screenings. It gives people with autism and people with learning disabilities the chance to attend a film with their friends and family in a more inclusive environment.
Anyone who thinks this is something beneficial is welcome to attend.
How much does it cost?
Details of each cinema's prices are available on the ODEON website. Simply select your chosen cinema and then select the 'Tickets and pricing information' in the left hand navigation.
Schools can get a discount - please check with the cinema directly for more details.
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Every month. If you'd like to receive details of each screening straight to your email inbox, please register for our eNewsletter.
The film shown is a mainstream film but it is the differences made to the cinema environment that make it autism friendly. Lights are left on low, the volume is turned down, people can move around the cinema and make noise as they feel comfortable and people can bring their own food and drinks if they have special dietary requirements.
There are no trailers so the film will always start at the time advertised.
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The films are chosen to appeal to as many people as possible and give people choice. The aim is to use new releases because previously people who would benefit from sensory friendly screenings or quieter cinema auditoriums would have to wait until a film has been out for a while before getting the opportunity to see it in an environment more conducive with their needs.
We want to show a range of films to give people more choice and a different film will be chosen each month. Lots of people have contacted us and given their suggestions about the types of films that they feel would be suitable and this feedback is used when deciding on the film.
If you would like to make any recommendations please do contact us, your opinion and knowledge is always useful.
Autism Friendly Film Screenings are for anyone that would benefit from the subtle differences made to the cinema environment. This could be people of any age and each film will be advertised along with any age restriction certificates. It is all about choice and whether you feel that it is a film that you want to see.
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Autism Friendly Film Screenings are for anyone that would benefit from the subtle differences made to the cinema environment. This could be people of any age and each film will be advertised along with any age restriction certificates. It is all about choice and whether you feel that it is a film that you want to see.
No. There are other cinema chains and independent cinemas that run sensory friendly film screenings and a lot of good work has already taken place between local support groups, individuals, other social care providers and cinema managers to make these happen. This is the first time that a cinema chain the size of ODEON and social care provider like Dimensions have partnered to deliver autism friendly screenings monthly to people across the UK.
No. There are a number of sensory differences made to the cinema environment that might make these screenings more attractive to people with autism who are sensory sensitive but the screenings are for anyone that feel they would benefit. This might be someone with a learning disability, or it might be the family and friends of someone with autism or with a learning disability who want to enjoy a cinema experience together.
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Subtle changes to the cinema environment mean that people who have sensory difference may have a more positive experience than they would in a traditional cinema setting. This does not mean autism friendly films screenings are right for everybody but please read through the changes that are made and see if this is something that you think will help you enjoy the cinema experience more.
Tickets are usually available to buy from the Wednesday before the screening and people can book tickets through the ODEON website or though the ODEON accessibility helpline 0800 138 3315.
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All Autism Friendly Film Screenings will be advertised here on our website. You can also join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitteror sign up for our weekly e-news bulletin in order to get the latest information about Autism Friendly Film Screenings and other Dimensions events and activities.
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