18 January 2025 / Annie Waite

Neurodiversity Film Festival 2025

Be inspired by our selection of mind-expanding screenings in our film festival focused neurodivergence, from 28 to 30 March.

Neurodiversity Film Festival is a celebration of autism and neurodiversity on screen, making visible the characters and stories that are often invisible in contemporary mainstream cinema.

Poster showing illustration of girl with lasers coming from her eyesPresented by autistic and neurodivergent creatives and curators, we bring you a weekend of films showcasing autistic and neurodiverse film characters and narratives.

Developed in partnership with Autism Spectrum, Eggtooth, AMAZE, Project Art Works, Autism in Translation, The Roebuck Centre and Oska Bright Film Festival, and made possible with funding from the BFI and National Lottery.

All screenings are relaxed (lights up, sound down, with the freedom to move around) and offer a £10 double-ticket price so you can bring a trusted friend for free.

We will also have an art show featuring works by neurodiverse artists on display in the auditorium as part of the festival.

Full details of film titles and booking links below.

You might also be interested in our regular monthly relaxed screenings.

Enjoy a welcome video for our festival from two of its co-curators:

Oska Bright Film Festival short films

Each screening will include a short film from the Oska Bright Film Festival archive. Oska Bright is the world’s leading festival for films made by or featuring people with learning disabilities or autism.

What's on at the festival:

Three children walking near water looking concernedFamily Fridays screening: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and treasure hunt - curated by Wolfgang and Eggtooth

Friday 28 March at 3.30pm doors for film start at 4pm

Celebrate Neurodiversity on screen and in the industry with our family event. Includes a treasure hunt before the film begins and short film. 

Based on the children's books by Lemony Snicket (pseudonym for author, Daniel Handler), this film captures the spirit of autistic culture and features the hyperlexic Baudelaire children who survive the trials and tribulations faced by recurring villain, Count Olaf, played by famously neurodiverse actor and comic, Jim Carrey.

Book now for Lemony Snicket >>

Man holding a video camera in the sunNeurodiverse Filmmakers' Showcase and Networking

Friday 28 March at 7:30pm

As part of our first ever Neurodiversity Film Festival, experience the talents of neurodiverse filmmakers from Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill and Eastbourne.

Book now for the Filmmakers event >>

Aspens Craft Market and Cafe/Bar - at the Electric Palace

Saturday 29 March 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Pop in to the Aspens Craft Market and Cafe/Bar at the Electric Palace, to view and buy art, jewellery and ceramics made by local neurodiverse makers from Aspens' Roebuck Enterprises and enjoy a drink and a slice of artisan cake!

10 FREE parking spaces available at the Roebuck Centre from 12pm - 6pm on the Saturday afternoon on a first come first served basis just email Paula.Taylor@aspens.org.uk to request one.

Aspens' Roebuck Enterprises in Hastings offers a variety of creative and skills workshops for people on the autism spectrum, providing development and enjoyment and the opportunity to sell their products.

Young woman in posh dress walking in woodsFamily Screening: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, curated by Amazing Futures (Amaze)

Saturday 29 March at 3pm   

An imaginative and magical fantasy adventure with an all-star cast starring in Tim Burton's version of one of the most beloved stories of all time. Includes art show brought to you by Amaze charity.

Book now for Alice in Wonderland >>

Group of people working in an art studio

The Stimming Pool - Behind the Scenes, at Project Art Works

Saturday 29 March at 5.00pm - accessible screening at Project Art Works, Arch 1, Braybrooke Terrace, Hastings TN34 1TD

Immerse yourself in the oscillating beat of the neurodiverse experience at this screening at Project Art Works, of locally-made The Stimming Pool. Props and costumes from the film will be on display.

Book now for Project Art Works screening >>

Dressed up person in empty swimming pool

The Stimming Pool - Film Premiere + Q&A

Saturday 29 March at 7:30pm  and NEW! Sunday 30 March at 11am

The Neurocultures Collective invite you to experience the oscillating beat of the neurodiverse experience at the Hastings Premiere of locally-made The Stimming Pool, featuring our B Movie Fan Club curator Robin Elliott-Knowles. Learn more about The Stimming Pool and its Hastings connections.

Due to overwhelming demand, we've added another screening of the film on Sunday 30 March at 11am (without Q&A).

Book now for The Stimming Pool  >>

Boy looking up at sky with pylon in backgroundClassic Sunday: The Reason I Jump + Q&A with director Jerry Rothwell, curated by Aspens

Sunday 30 March at 2pm

Utterly riveting exploration of neurodiversity, based on the book by a 13 year old autistic boy.

Book now for The Reason I Jump >>

Ellen PrebbleThe Beast from 20,000 Fathoms + short film, curated by Ellen Prebble & Project Art Works

Sunday 30 March at 5pm

An atomic blast in the arctic releases the 140 million-year-old dinosaur which causes destruction and terrorises the cities from North Atlantic to New York City.

Book now for The Beast from...>>

Scientists looking at a brain with wires coming outB Movie Fan Club and Relaxed screening: Donovan's Brain + introduction

Sunday 30 March at 7:30pm   

An attempt to keep alive the brain of millionaire megalomaniac W.H. Donovan after an otherwise fatal plane crash goes awry as the brain has other ideas...With introduction by Robin Elliott-Knowles. And free candy with every ticket!

Book now for Donovan's Brain >>

Bring a trusted friend for free:

Tickets for our Autism-friendly screenings are £10 - and with our double ticket option you can bring a trusted friend along for free! Or come along on your own and meet some friendly faces eager to enjoy cinema in a relaxed environment.

About our Autism-friendly 'relaxed' screenings:

An Autism-friendly screening is where people can watch a film in a relaxed environment.

They are different from regular film screenings because:

  • the lights are low instead of completely off, so you can still see where you're going
  • the volume is a little lower than a standard screening
  • you can move around the cinema freely as you wish during the screening
  • you can leave the cinema room during the screening and return without having to worry
  • you can make noise, stim, and enjoy yourself
  • there is a friendly atmosphere
  • there are people around if you need any help

These screenings are for anyone who would feel safe and welcome in this environment.

At Electric Palace, we think the cinema should be for everyone, that's why we offer Autism-friendly screenings.

Inside the Electric Palace

Learn more about the Electric Palace and what you can expect in our short video.

With thanks to filmmaker Sam Sharples and The Equatorial Group for providing the music.

Oska Bright Film Festival logoWith thanks to Oska Bright Film Festival and Carousel.

This screening is supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub South East.Film Hub South East logo

BFI Film Audience Network logo

With thanks to our partners:Project Art Works logoRoebuck logo - a deerAmaze logo Autism in Translation logoAspens logoEggtooth logo

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