Neurodiversity Film Festival 2025 at Electric Palace cinema

The first ever Hastings Neurodiversity Film Festival taking place at the Electric Palace cinema and other local venues from 28 to 30 March, is a celebration of autism and neurodiversity on screen, making visible the characters and stories that are often invisible in contemporary mainstream cinema, says Annie Waite.

Presented by autistic and neurodivergent creatives and curators, the Electric Palace cinema in Hastings Old Town brings you a weekend of films showcasing autistic and neurodiverse film characters, actors and narratives, from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March 2025.

The festival has been 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 include a £10 double-ticket option so you can bring a trusted friend for free.

An exhibition of art from neurodiverse creatives will be on display in the cinema auditorium as part of the festival.

Each screening will also 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:

Family screening: Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and treasure hunt
Friday 28 March at 3.30pm doors for film start at 4pm

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 >>

Neurodiverse Film-makers’ Showcase and Networking
Friday 28 March at 7:30pm

Experience the talents of neurodiverse film-makers from Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill and Eastbourne.

Book now for the Film-makers event >>

Aspens Craft Market and Cafe/Bar
Saturday 29 March 12.30-2.30pm

Pop in to the Aspens Craft Market and Cafe/Bar at Roebuck Centre, Roebuck St, Hastings TN34 3BB – close by the cinema – 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!

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.

Family Screening: Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland
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 >>

The Stimming Pool – Behind the Scenes, wheelchair accessible screening at Project Art Works

Saturday 29 March at 5pm – wheelchair accessible screening at Project Art Works, Arch 1, Braybrooke Terrace, Hastings TN34 1TD

Immerse yourself in 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 >>

The Stimming Pool – Hastings Gala Film Premiere + Q&A

Saturday 29 March at 7:30pm

The Neurocultures Collective invite you to the Hastings premiere of locally-made The Stimming Pool, featuring the Electric Palace’s B Movie Fan Club curator, Robin Elliott-Knowles.

Book now for The Stimming Pool premiere >>

The Reason I Jump + Q&A with director Jerry Rothwell

Sunday 30 March at 2pm

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

Book now for The Reason I Jump >>

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

Sunday 30 March at 5pm

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

Book now for The Beast from…>>

B Movie Fan Club: 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 >>

About the Electric Palace’s autism-friendly ‘relaxed’ screenings:

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

The Electric Palace cinema runs relaxed screenings throughout the festival, and also monthly ‘WolfGang presents’ autism-friendly screenings as part of its regular programme, and will be hosting a broader selection during the April school holiday to help mark Autism Awareness Month.

Relaxed screenings 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.

Learn more about the first ever Hastings Neurodiversity Film Festival!

 

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