Chuck E. Cheese, Shine Global, And Autism Speaks Partner to Champion Inclusivity During World Autism Month

IRVING, Texas (March 25, 2025) – Shine Global is partnering with Chuck E. Cheese and Autism Speaks to celebrate World Autism Month with special film screenings, fundraisers, and exclusive content aimed at promoting awareness and inclusivity for children on the spectrum.

As part of this initiative, Chuck E. Cheese, in partnership with Autism Speaks, will premiere Shine Global’s latest film, Comedy Against the Odds, directed by six-time Daytime Emmy-winner Suzanne Luna, at private screenings in Burbank, California, and Brooklyn, New York. The film follows 10-year-old Austin Eletto, an aspiring stand-up comedian with autism, as he uses comedy to challenge stereotypes and embrace his identity.

Chuck E. Cheese, the No. 1 global family entertainment fun center, will celebrate World Autism Month with sensory-friendly events, fundraisers and special film screenings as part of its ongoing commitment to inclusivity and support for the autism community.

Launched in 2017, Chuck E. Cheese’s monthly Sensory Sensitive Sundays have supported thousands of children and families on the spectrum at select locations by opening two hours early on the first Sunday of the month to provide an environment with dimmed lighting and lower volume so that kids with sensory sensitivities can enjoy all that Chuck E. Cheese has to offer. In addition to the national Sensory Sensitive Sunday event on April 27, select fun centers will be hosting their regular monthly Sensory Sensitive Sunday on April 6. For a list of participating locations, visit: https://www.chuckecheese.com/sensory-sensitive-sundays/.

Five years ago, Chuck E. Cheese launched an ongoing national initiative with Autism Speaks, the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan, to promote awareness, acceptance and inclusiveness for autistic children while providing a safe, fun environment where families feel supported.

This year, Chuck E. Cheese is expanding its commitment to the autistic community through a new partnership with Shine Global, a nonprofit media company dedicated to improving children’s lives through powerful stories that raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change.As well as premiering the film, together, they will develop exclusive content that will be shared on screens at nearly 500 Chuck E. Cheese fun centers nationwide. Additionally, on Friday, April 18, 20% of all sales will be donated to Shine Global. To participate, guests must present a Shine Global fundraising voucher, available at ChuckECheese.com, at the checkout.

“During World Autism Month and throughout the entire year, Chuck E. Cheese is dedicated to leading the family entertainment industry with our commitment to promote awareness among our guests and employees and through our partnership with Autism Speaks,” said CEC Entertainment President and CEO David McKillips. “This year, we are extending our advocacy work even further with Shine Global, allowing us to provide a platform and opportunity for voices like Austin’s to be heard by millions of guests visiting our fun centers.”

“Austin’s story is a powerful message of resilience, determination and courage,” said Albie Hecht, co-founder of Shine Global and the film’s producer. “Through our partnership with Chuck E. Cheese, we will be able to provide additional opportunities for Shine Global to leverage the brand’s entertainment programs to connect with a new audience and provide access to resources for kids like Austin and their families.”

Read the full press release here.

About Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese is where half a million happy birthdays are celebrated every year, with a mission to create positive, lifelong memories for families through fun, food and play. For over 47 years, Chuck E. Cheese has been the place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®, and it continues to set the standard for family entertainment through its interactive experiences, exciting arcade games and beloved Chuck E. Cheese character. Committed to providing a fun, safe and inclusive environment, Chuck E. Cheese helps protect families through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check®. As a strong advocate for its local communities, Chuck E. Cheese has donated more than $24 million to schools and nonprofits through its fundraising programs. The Company and its franchisees operate a system of nearly 600 Chuck E. Cheese fun centers, with locations in 45 states and 16 foreign countries and territories. In PMQ’s Pizza Power Report 2025, Chuck E. Cheese was named one of the top 10 pizza chains in the U.S. For more information, visit chuckecheese.com.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. In response to the pressing needs of the 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults with autism in the U.S. today, Autism Speaks provides resources and tools for autistic individuals of all ages and levels of support. Connecting over 28.5 million people with autism and their families to free advocacy, services, supports, research, innovation and advances in care, the nonprofit serves as convener for the autism community with the goal of making a real difference for all people on the autism spectrum. Learn more and join the movement by following @AutismSpeaks on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

About Shine Global

Shine Global is a nonprofit media company that improves children’s lives by telling powerful stories that raise awareness, promote action and inspire change. We produce inspiring films and compelling content about underserved children. Through tailored distribution and outreach, we connect with our audiences in communities, classrooms, museums, and on Capitol Hill as part of a powerful engagement campaign to encourage social change.

Since being co-founded by Albie Hecht and Susan MacLaury in 2005, Shine Global films have won more than 100 major awards, including an Academy Award® for Best Documentary Short Subject for “Inocente,” an Academy Award®-nomination for Best Live Action for “Anuja,” and an Academy Award®-nomination and two Emmys® for “War/Dance.” Recent films include the documentary-animation hybrid “Liyana,” the hit documentary “The Eagle Huntress,” “Through Our Eyes: Homefront,” which is available on PBS and Max, the Ariel Award-winner “Home Is Somewhere Else,” and “Comedy Against the Odds.” For more information or to donate, visit www.shineglobal.org.