Movie House Cinemas have announced they will be hosting the company’s first ever autism-friendly screening on 12 January at the Cityside venue, formerly Yorkgate.

The Belfast cinema will screen the new U-rated comedy Parental Guidance, starring Bette Midler and Billy Crystal.

Autism-friendly screenings are targeted at people with autism and their families, friends and carers.

The special screenings have been organised by Movie House as people with autism can be sensitive to sound and light and can find going to the cinema difficult.

Low lights are left on in the auditorium and the volume of the soundtrack is reduced. Customers are also free to move around, make noise or take a break during the film.

"We were approached by local families who asked if we would trial this in the New Year," said Movie House Managing Director Michael McAdam.

"We were happy to work with them and to see if there is demand from the public for these screenings. It would be great to see families coming out and enjoying a movie together."

The Odeon Cinema in Belfast has provided similar screenings since the company paired up with autism-support charity Dimensions in August 2011.

Lisa Hopkins, executive director of practice development at Dimensions, explained: "The cinema experience can be a particularly challenging environment but it is one that can be made accessible by good partnership working. We have seen how successful such initiatives can be – in just the first year more than 21,000 people watched the screenings we organised with ODEON – and we are excited about the prospect of building upon that further."

(IT)