On Tuesday, March 11th I went to the Paramount Theater to see the SXSW premiere of the film, Ash. I waited patiently and excitedly to see the film. But my excitement turned into disappointment when only after a couple minutes of watching the film, I had to leave because the experience triggered a seizure. I went to my car and suffered a seizure for roughly an hour and half. It turned into a terrible experience…that I would have avoided if I had known of the flashing lights and loud noises in the film. 

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, “for about 3% of people with epilepsy, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or certain visual patterns can trigger seizures.“ They advise “caution regarding flashing lights and patterns in films, as they can trigger seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.”

At the end of the day, what happened to me wasn’t meant to be known by many. But it’s incredibly important that it is known…what happened there back on March 11th. Because it could have been a lot worse. I could’ve had a seizure there in the theater and no one would’ve been able to help me because my phone was off since it was a premiere. But thankfully I was strong enough to get myself out of there and reach the car with my dad. But I’m disappointed with SXSW and XYZ Films (Ash crew) for not having any photosensitivity warnings. As well as the SXSW volunteers clearly seeing me struggling to walk and not holding the door for me. All around it just became a really terrible experience. 

But it’s important to sign this petition to films like Ash, film festivals like SXSW, and anything else that comes in the future that we must protect our photosensitive viewers. We must have photosensitive warnings prior to a screening. No one should have to worry about having a seizure while watching movies and no one should have to go through what I went through. 

Ash stars Aaron Paul & Eiza González and comes out in theaters March 21, 2025. Please join me in signing this petition to show XYZ Films that we are in support of our photosensitive viewers. Also so that hopefully I can receive an apology from SXSW and the Ash team because I would really appreciate one.