‘Wild World’ Cinema Weekends!
Sensory Friendly Cinema – A weekend of inclusive, interactive and immersive cinema screenings for neurodiverse families and friends to enjoy together!
“Cinema has no boundary, it is a ribbon of dream” – Orson Welles
Different Planet Arts – winners of the Children and Young People Now Play Award 2022 – are thrilled to be bringing their new innovative Sensory Friendly Cinema to Depot, Lewes. This event is a beautifully curated programme of films and animations based around the natural world, delivered in an innovative experiential way, SEND inclusive, immersive, interactive and fun!
Returning to Depot for 2026, we will watch and experience films in a unique new way, with specialist performers bringing stories to life through sensory moments, live music, activities, movement and play!
Sensory Friendly Cinema explores and embraces how we all see the world in different ways.
Think secret cinema meets autism friendly relaxed cinema meets sensory cinema. It’s a cinematic event for the whole family!
These films are particularly suitable for 5-11 year olds, but will be immensely enjoyed by all age groups.
So get your creature costumes on, and come sing, dance and make some noise with us!
What will happen
When you arrive at Depot you and your families and carers will be welcomed by our friendly team of performers in the foyer and given a bag of interactive sensory surprises.
You will be shown around the space and have time to get used to the environment. You will meet our team who will greet you with music, puppetry and a playful welcome.
We will then settle into our screening room and get comfy, ready for the screening. There will be lots of music, interaction and sensory activities and all performances will be tailored to the needs of the audience.
The films and animations
In this carefully selected programme of epic, funny and heartwarming acclaimed films and animations, you and your family and caregivers will become part of the adventures as we explore each of the films through sensory moments, bringing the stories to life with puppets, live music, props and special effects by Different Planet Arts’ team of specialist facilitators, performers and musicians.
You will be part of the experience as we transform the cinema into a Wild World quest, across land, sea and mountains.
Age Range
These films are particularly suitable for 5-11 year olds, but will be immensely enjoyed by all age groups.
Feel free to get in touch and ask us about suitability.
Weekend Dates for 2026
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December
Weekend Dates for 2027
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March
Events run from 10:45 – 12:35
Weekend Screenings
10:45 – 12:35
The programme will be a collection of several short films, with a cast of animated characters like Ink the Octopus. Our performers and musicians will help you become part of the stories, taking you into the faraway wild worlds through imagination, music, interactive sensory activities, puppets, play and fun.
Come dressed as your favourite animal!
Weekend Timings, just to give you an idea
All screenings are interactive and as such will vary in length, according to the live adventures that unfold!
10:45 – The fun begins in the foyer where the team will meet and greet
11:00 – 11:30 – First screening
11:30 – 11:50 – Break
11:50 – 12:20 – Second screening
12:20 – 12:35 – Goodbye and exit
Access and support film for Sensory Friendly Cinema at Depot
The Cinema
Audiences will be limited to 30 people, so there’s lots of room to move around and get up for a wander. Alongside the Different Planet Arts team, Depot’s staff will be on hand to help.
The lighting and sound will be adjusted and we have an easy-going attitude to comings and goings and making noise, if people need to move around, be vocal or take a break from the screening.
Entrances and exits will be monitored by staff who regularly host relaxed cinema events
Breakout Space
There will also be a designated breakout space, just to chill. This will be next to the cinema screening room in Roberts Bar (which will be reserved for this event) and the team will show you where it is should you need it.
Food
You can enjoy food in our cafe/restaurant (take a look at our daytime menu), or you can bring a snack with you.
Toilets
There are two accessible toilets at the venue. Please note these are large toilets, each with a child changing table suitable for weights up to 23kg. There is no hoist at this facility.
Getting here
Depot is on Pinwell Road at the bottom of Station Street, next to Lewes railway station. Mini buses and taxis can drop off directly outside the entrance.
Depot, Pinwell Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2JS
Enquiries: 01273 525354
Depot has two disabled spaces outside. The council-run Pinwell Road Car Park has one disabled space. Lewes railway station car park is immediately adjacent and has arrangements for Blue Badge holders. Find out more >
After attending one of our events, we’d love to know what you thought about it! Please follow the link below to fill in a quick survey to help us keep improving our performances and events!
About Different Planet Arts
“Different Planet Arts produces unique sensory theatre and immersive arts experiences and delivers Inclusive Play Skills Training, for children and young people with complex disabilities
We work in theatres, arts centres, schools, hospitals and community settings to create events, experiences, and environments in which we facilitate participants to co-create and play – connecting their inner and outer worlds. We are an artist-led charity that promotes inclusion and empowerment through imagination and participation. We work with hard to reach individuals and communities, devising different events and happenings tailored to the needs of specific groups of participants.
We achieve this through the principle of 360 degree inclusion, this enables children and young people with complex disabilities and their families who are often excluded and isolated to participate in cultural activities within the wider community.
We also deliver training in sensory theatre and inclusive play for parents, carers, and professionals.”
Find out more at differentplanetarts.co.uk
