A Canadian Movie Theater Plans To Offer Special Screenings For People With Autism

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With the increasing attraction of watching movies at home constantly threatening to cut into their bottom line, theaters are, or at least should be, looking for novel ways to keep the movie-going experience relevant. One Canadian chain is taking an interesting approach:

Cineplex Entertainment is launching a special screening program for people with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

The Canadian movie theatre company says its Sensory Friendly Screenings will include 2D projection, increased auditorium lighting, lower volume and smaller crowds.

Theatres will also allow families to bring in outside food and take a break from screenings in a nearby “calm zone.”

Cineplex says the screenings will take place in select venues on select Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., before theatres open to the general public.

Guests of all ages will be able to get in for the current child ticket price. The program begins Feb. 14 with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. [CBC]

Wait, smaller crowds, lower volume, no 3D, and you can bring in outside food? Do we have to know someone autistic to buy a ticket, and will there be a test? Because this sounds great.

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