The Lilo & Stitch screening was inclusive and sensory-friendly, featuring modified lighting and audio as well as a relaxed environment designed specifically for children with diverse requirements, and was a first-of-its-kind experience for many of the children in attendance.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
In celebration of Children’s Day, Filmhouse Group, in collaboration with Shades of Life Care Limited, an organisation that provides services to families with children that have behavioural challenges as well as learning disabilities, hosted a screening of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch at its Lekki cinema on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025.
The screening was inclusive and sensory-friendly, featuring modified lighting and audio as well as a relaxed environment designed specifically for children with diverse requirements, and was a first-of-its-kind experience for many of the children in attendance.
The selection of Lilo & Stitch, a family-friendly live-action animated remake of a beloved Disney classic was fitting for the occasion, with universal themes of friendship, family, and acceptance.
In a statement emphasising the value of inclusivity, Kene Okwuosa, the Group CEO of Filmhouse Group noted, “At Filmhouse Group, diversity and inclusion are not just ideals, they are embedded in the way we design our experiences. This Children’s Day, we aimed to go beyond celebration by creating a space where every child feels represented and can enjoy the magic of cinema in a way that is comfortable, inclusive, and meaningful to them.”
“Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Filmhouse Group, we were able to give our children a moment of joy, and belonging. Watching their faces light up during the screening reminded us of the power of storytelling and inclusion,” added Funto Ajoku, Supervisor at Shades of Life Care.
The collaboration between Filmhouse Group and Shades of Life Care Limited demonstrates how partnerships between service providers and specialised organisations can yield meaningful outcomes in ensuring cultural accessibility, especially as public awareness and understanding of inclusion increases.
While the screening marked a celebratory moment specifically tied to Children’s Day, initiatives such as this also reflect a growing recognition of the need for accessibility in public spaces, particularly within the entertainment sector, and the need to design experiences that accommodate a wider spectrum of audiences.