Join us for a special preview of this remarkable documentary, which tells the story of how Owen Suskind, an autistic boy, learned to communicate through Disney films. We are delighted that Owen and his family will be here for a Q&A after the film along with the director Roger Ross Williams.

As a child, Owen Suskind stopped speaking and was diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, but his love for Disney films led his family to develop an extraordinary way of communicating with him. Against medical advice, they helped him find his voice through mimicking and channelling Disney characters: by using Simba, Jafar, Ariel et al Owen found a way of cataloguing his emotions and interpreting reality. Meanwhile, the original animation sequences give form to Owen's interior world as he deals with the challenges of growing up.

A moving coming-of-age tale, Life, Animated offers a powerful insight into both the experience of autism and the transformative possibilities of cinema.

After the film Owen Suskind and his parents Ron and Cornelia will be taking part in a Q&A hosted by Sarah Ambe-King, Senior Parent Advisor at Contact a Family, along with the film's director Roger Ross Williams. Sarah will also be introducing the film.

Life, Animated returns from Fri 9 Dec for at least one week.

Contact a Family is a national charity for families with disabled children that provides information, advice and support. They bring families together so they can support each other and campaign to improve their circumstances, and for their right to be included and equal in society.

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