1st Sensory-Friendly Movies At SM Cinema 3 of The Block

Persons with autism (PWA) experience the world differently. Their senses don’t process information in the same way so that they may have unique sensory (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching) experiences in a different manner.

Thanks to the SM Committee on Disability Affairs (SM-CDA), in partnership with Autism Society Philippines, as they launched today the Sensory-Friendly Movies (SfM) at SM Cinema 3 of The Block, SM North EDSA.

Inspired by a similar project of Autism Society of America, SfM will give persons with autism and their families/caregivers the opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.  This will be the first in the Philippines.

From now on SM Cinema 3 of The Block of SM North EDSA will be:

• o Bringing up the lights
• o Turning down sound volume
• o Allowing families/students to bring in their own snacks
• o Eliminating movie previews and advertisements
• o Welcoming audience members to get up, dance, walk, shout, sing, go in and out of the cinema (as long as safety of audience is not threatened).
• o Supporting desensitization program of special schools in training their students to acquire socially-appropriate behaviors inside movie houses.

“SM Cinemas are already accessible to other PWDs. Now, Sensory-Friendly Movies (SfM) will allow families to bring their loved ones with autism inside movie houses, without worries. We will be coordinating closely with ASP to roll out this program to other SM Mall cinemas in the future, “ said SM-CDA Chairman, Eng. Bien Mateo.

For the launch, 200 students from Bridges, ALRES, Cradles of Learners, Immaculate Concepcion SPED, New Hope, Wise Light, Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center and ASP Diliman chapter were treated by SM to watch “UP” (by popular request). These students were accompanied by their teachers, parents/caregivers and school heads.