Vader! Luke! Leia! The lightsabers! The flashes! The CGI wonders on the big screen! Millions of people will “skywalk” to theaters for Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, opening December 19th. This week Disney sent a warning to movie theater operators that some lighting effects, intended to dazzle some moviegoers, can trigger seizures among people who have photosensitive epilepsy. The warning indicates that there are “several sequences with imagery and sustained flashing lights” in the movie.

The Prospector Theater is committed to providing excellent, safe, and inclusive moviegoing experiences for our audiences. We at the Prospector Theater know there are people with photosensitivities and/or photosensitive epilepsy who want to see the epic finale to the Skywalker saga. Our ticket pre-sales tell us EVERYONE wants to see The Rise of Skywalker!

Good news! People with photosensitivities and/or photosensitive epilepsy can still enjoy the social, emotional, entertaining, and cultural benefits of The Rise of Skywalker, with a few accommodations to make this a safe moviegoing experience.

Based on recommendations from Disney and the Epilepsy Foundation, the Prospector Theater offers the following assistance to all moviegoers:

1. As requested by Disney, a sign with a seizure warning will be posted at our box office.

2. Box office and usher Prospects will verbally educate audiences about the risk.

3. Prospector management will preview The Rise of Skywalker and time-stamp the sequences of flashing light that could trigger seizures.

4. Ushers will be available, upon request, to warn moviegoers ahead of the flashing sequences.

5. Audiences with photosensitivities will be advised to use their own strategies to protect themselves from the flashing sequence scenes.

6. We have scheduled a sensory screening of The Rise of Skywalker for Sunday, January 5th at 11:00AM. At the sensory screening, the movie volume is lowered, and the house lights remain on, dimming the screen and reducing the risk of seizure-inducing light responses. Ushers will also verbally warn audiences of the upcoming flash sequences.

Epilepsy affects more than 3.4 million people in the United States, and an estimated 65 million worldwide. Around 3% of people with epilepsy have light-induced seizures. People with epilepsy can be the targets of prejudice and social isolation. We at the Prospector Theater believe in the right for all people to participate in the shared social experience of moviegoing.

This is the second seizure warning Disney has made in a year. Moviegoers voiced concerns and reported light-induced seizures to the Epilepsy Foundation after the premiere of Disney Pixar’s Incredibles 2. Prospects used the aforementioned strategies to educate and protect the safety of our audiences.

The Force is rumored to be strong in The Rise of Skywalker. With a little bit of preparation and attention, all audiences can enjoy the Force in a safe and positive way – especially at the Prospector Theater!

For more questions about Epilepsy, please visit www.epilepsy.org. For movie tickets, or to send an accommodation request ahead of your movie, please visit www.prospectortheater.org.

May the Force be with you!