Applause for Sensory Friendly Films

AMC Theatres are a great example to other corporates in providing an opportunity for families affected by autism to enjoy the kinds of entertainment others take for granted.

AMC is the second largest movie theater chain in North America with 5,325 screens and 21,000 employees.

Their Sensory Friendly Films provide families affected by autism with a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.

As families affected by autism well know, the simplest family entertainment is often out of reach.  Movie theatres can be a particular challenge due to autism often coming with sensory challenges such as hypersensitivity to light or sound.  Also children or adults affected by autism may not understand the social boundaries of movie theatre etiquette such as not talking during the film or sitting still through most of the show.

The auditoriums in the Sensory Friendly Films program have their lights up, the sound turned down – and the audience is invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!  For these screenings, AMC’s usual “Silence is Golden” policy is not enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

Families are able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks – and neither previews nor advertisements are shown before the movie.

This program started two years ago now – and has 132 participating theatres throughout the USA.  Here >>> is a full list of participating theatres.

I’m sure the Sensory Friendly Films program makes very good business sense for AMC through the positive branding it must create – and by serving a large market that is not otherwise being well catered for in entertainment. 

But regardless of any business motive, I applaud AMC for setting a great example to other corporates through this program.  It would be great to see this rolled out to all of AMC’s locations worldwide!

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