Divergence 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.
Presented by autistic and neurodivergent creatives and curators, we bring you a weekend of films showcasing autistic and neurodivergent film characters and narratives.
Developed in partnership with Autism Spectrum, Eggtooth, AMAZE, Autism in Translation, DV8, Little Gate Farm, The Roebuck Centre and Oska Bright Film Festival.
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.
The festival will also feature an art show featuring works by a neurodivergent artist on display in the auditorium.
Full details of film titles and booking links below.
You might also be interested in our regular monthly relaxed screenings.
Neurodivergent Filmmakers' Showcase and Networking
Friday 24 April at 7:30pm
Experience the talents of neurodiverse filmmakers from Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill and Eastbourne.
Book now for Neurodiverse Filmmakers' Showcase
Family Screening: Lilo & Stitch + workshop
Saturday 25 April at 11am
A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.
Come early and get involved in designing a 'friendly alien' in our craft workshop before the film.
DV8 TakeOver Showcasing Media Creations and Films
Saturday 25 April at 3pm
Dv8 Sussex is a specialist college based in Brighton and Bexhill, offering young people aged 16-18 personalised, industry-led training in the most vibrant & exciting creative sectors. We are thrilled to present this short film and music video programme, hosted and presented by students from Dv8 with Jon Renouf, practising artist and educator.
I Swear
Saturday 25 April at 7:30pm
Kirk Jones’s moving film about John Davidson, the man who taught Britain about Tourette's syndrome, offers compassion and catharsis.
Snow Cake + Q&A
Sunday 26 April at 3pm
Following a car accident in which his hitchhiking passenger is killed, Alan (Alan Rickman) makes the journey to pay his respects to the girl's mother. When he meets Linda it's obvious that she's out of the ordinary; a brash, autistic woman and absolute force of nature. With Q&A with screenwriter Angela Pell.
Rodan
Sunday 26 April at 7:30pm
Miners looking into mysterious deaths uncover a race of prehistoric nymphs (yes nymphs), and a flying creature hell-bent on destruction.Part of the B-Movie Fan Club, hosted by Robin Knowles, who has been been running the club for over 12 years.