Queen Mary Impact Accelerator Award Drives UK Cinema Release of Groundbreaking Autism Film, The Stimming Pool
Supported by a Queen Mary Impact Accelerator Award, the film has captivated audiences at screenings in Denmark, Canada, Iceland, Australia, and South Korea. It is set to feature at the prestigious 68th BFI London Film Festival, running from 9 to 20 October 2024, where all three screenings have already sold out.
The Queen Mary University of London Impact Accelerator Award played a crucial role in helping the film secure a partnership with Dartmouth Films for a UK cinema release in Spring 2025. This partnership, along with additional support from a BFI Audience Development Award, will bring The Stimming Pool to a broader audience, allowing its message to resonate beyond the festival circuit.
“We are so pleased to see the incredible success of this Impact Accelerator Award funded project. This is a great example of the powerful impact humanities research can have on society and industry,” said Evie Edwards, Impact Engagement Officer at Queen Mary University of London.
Professor Eastwood co-created The Stimming Pool with the Neurocultures Collective—a group of neurodivergent artists—crafting a film that offers a unique, sensory exploration of autistic experiences. Shot on Super 16mm by renowned cinematographer Greg Oke (Aftersun), the film features a cast of autistic actors and non-actors, blending documentary-style realism with fantastical elements. The camera itself is a character, described as an “autistic camera,” wandering through chaotic and tranquil environments, revealing how the world feels to those with autism.
The Queen Mary Impact Accelerator Award, which targets projects with societal or commercial impact, was instrumental in enabling the film’s journey to UK cinemas. Designed to foster partnerships with investors and collaborators, the award has ensured that The Stimming Pool will reach audiences nationwide, offering an engaging and thought-provoking portrayal of the autistic experience.
With its sold-out screenings at the BFI London Film Festival, the film’s UK cinema release next year will further extend its reach, inviting audiences to engage with the often-overlooked experiences of autistic individuals. By supporting films like The Stimming Pool, the Queen Mary Impact Accelerator Award continues to advance research, creativity, and projects with deep societal resonance.