Autism Kids Collective launched its first ever autism-friendly movie night for kids at Silky Otters in Takanini last week.
The activation is one of 12 movie nights planned over the year, with one session per month to allow families with autistic loved ones the opportunity to enjoy a cinema experience in a more comfortable and inclusive environment.
The free movie nights feature minimal flashy lights, a sensory play pit in the front of the theatre, and free popcorn and drinks.
For Autism Kids Collective founder and CEO Jordan Lee Ikitule Filipo, the initiative is about creating more opportunities for autistic children to participate in everyday activities.
“The way the world is set up is not always like for our autistic kids,” Jordan says.
“So, I think it’s important that we create, like, a new way of doing things. And I think that it’s not right for our kids to always be locked up at home because some of them can’t sit still.”
The sensory-friendly experience aims to remove some of the barriers that can make a trip to the cinema difficult. With popcorn and drinks already prepared and placed at their seats, families can enjoy a seamless entry without the need to wait in a queue.
For Jordan, the activation is a solution to his own personal journey with his autistic son, Storm.
“It has been a bit challenging trying to take our son to the movies because of his sensory needs,” he says.
“Having something like this where everyone understands and accepts our kids just makes it a lot easier, so it was very important for us to get this sorted today.”
Beyond movies, the goal is to create more experiences where autistic kids and their families can feel included and free of judgement.
“So many parents of autistic kids have been called useless, bad parenting, do this, do that. So I think just that empathy part is important but also like, just learning one thing about autism makes a huge difference for those who are not related to the space,” Jordan says.
He also believes that the responsibility should extend beyond the individual and their families. Organisations and businesses should also play a role in making their services and facilities more accessible and inclusive.
“What I want to see from this is more [cinemas] getting involved [and] I would also love to see like other businesses or organisations involved where they can offer certain services,” Jordan says.
“This should just be a normal thing…. This is just happening in Takanini. It should be happening across the whole country and there should be more, and more support for our communities.”
With 11 more sessions to go, families can stay up to date with upcoming registrations through Autism Kids Collective’s social media channels.
