An inclusive film screening was held at Pulkovo Airport in partnership with Smartavia.

On the eve of the opening of the XII International Film Festival for Children and Family Cinema "Zero Plus," a special film screening was held at Pulkovo Airport. For the first time, a "waiting area cinema" was organized in the departure zone, where passengers could watch independent films and animations about inclusion. The event became part of a large-scale program to create a friendly environment on the ground and in the air.

The program featured five films about children and adults with developmental disabilities. After the screening, the audience discussed the films with moderators, highlighting the importance of equality and support in society. The screening was organized by the inclusive film club "(Not) Like Everyone Else" — a project of the "Zero Plus" festival.

The theme of inclusion is particularly relevant for the aviation industry. The pioneer in this area was the airline Smartavia, which became the first in Russia to train flight attendants and ground staff in working with passengers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The program was developed in collaboration with experts from the "Anton Is Right Here" charity foundation.

Furthermore, the foundation and Smartavia implemented a joint project — creating the world's first anti-stress pillow called "Hug Me". Elements of the uniforms of Smartavia flight attendants and pilots were used in its production.

"Comfort on board is one of the key smart values of our airline. That's why we couldn't ignore the problem of fear of flying. While developing a solution, we researched methods that are most effective in reducing anxiety and learned that 88% of autistic people cope with anxiety through sensory relief. That is, by hugging or squeezing something soft. This is how the 'Hug Me' anti-stress pillow was born," said Yuliana Tyazhelnikova, Marketing and Customer Loyalty Director of Smartavia.

Guests of the film screening were the first to appreciate the "Hug Me" pillow, which is already available for purchase in shops in the departure and arrival areas of Pulkovo Airport.

"We are implementing various solutions for the comfort of passengers with special needs. Cultural events help create a friendly environment for all travelers. The number of passengers in special categories is growing: last year, the airport's assistance service helped 75,000 people, and in 2025 we plan to assist over 80,000. This indicates the creation of an accessible and seamless environment," added Anna Manakova, Head of the Additional Service Department at Pulkovo Airport.

The inclusive service from Smartavia is available on all airline flights. To use it, you must inform about developmental characteristics when purchasing an air ticket or afterwards via the feedback form on the Smartavia website.