Sometimes, a trip to the movie theater can be too loud, too dark and too scary for some children — particularly if they have sensory sensitivity. Now, for the first time in the Kingdom, a brand-new viewing experience is available to those guests who wish to sit back, relax and enjoy the movie with some added support.
Across the Kingdom at Muvi Cinemas, sensory-adapted sessions have been recently introduced to specific family-friendly films on Saturday afternoons.
In association with Tayf Aziz, a Riyadh-based initiative that offers pediatric, dental and rehabilitation support for those on the autism spectrum and those with neurodevelopmental disorders, the viewing experience is meant to help make a trip to the cinema more inclusive and less stressful.
The hope is that movie magic can be experienced by everyone.
Considerations such as keeping the house lights on throughout the film, showcasing fewer trailers before the start of the film and reducing the volume of the film’s audio are huge pluses.
Guests can bring their own snacks, something that is not permitted in other screenings. In addition, the cost of the ticket is SR35 ($9) for a seat that would normally be designated Comfortable Premium, usually a higher fee.
It is a friendlier viewing experience overall.
Children are encouraged to munch on popcorn and are free to rock in their seats and to occasionally talk, albeit in hushed tones. It is not as strict as other viewing experiences, which makes for a more fun environment for the young guests.
“The everyday cinema environment can be stressful for guests with autism, sensory difficulties, or learning impairments so we developed special sensory-friendly screenings to run every Saturday afternoon, at specially selected sites, making cinema in Saudi Arabia more inclusive,” Muvi Cinemas wrote on their website.
“Our hope is that guests with sensory difficulties will be able to enjoy the magic of cinema along with the rest of their family and friends.”
