Autism-friendly movie screenings at SilverCity

Children who fall on the autism spectrum can now go to the movies with their families in Sudbury without the stress that experience may have caused in the past.

On Saturday July 4, Cineplex launched its Sensory Friendly Screenings program at SilverCity Sudbury to make the movie-going experience more comfortable for people with autism.

The company collaborated with an organization called Autism Speaks Canada to create the program.

“We worked very closely with them in developing the program to make sure it was suitable and that it was checking all the boxes in terms of what would provide a great entertainment experience,” said Mike Langdon, Cineplex's director communications.

Every four to six weeks, Cineplex theatres across Canada screen a movie with the house lights on, and the volume lowered, to make the experience more enjoyable for people with autism.

“For a lot of individuals with autism, they experience some sensory issues,” said Carrie Habert, a spokesperson with Autism Speaks Canada. “We've made it a lot less stressful to enjoy a movie.”

Cineplex launched the program in 12 theatres across Canada on Feb. 14.
It has since expanded to 27 theatres. SilverCity Sudbury was the latest location to be added to the list, with a screening of the Pixar Movie Inside Out July 4.

SilverCity will screen the animated movie Minions July 25, the Adam Sandler comedy Pixels Aug. 8, and Hotel Transylvania 2 Oct. 10 through the program.

All screenings are at 10:30 a.m., before the theatre opens to the general public.