Girl Who Lobbied Disney Supports No6 Cinema’s Showing of Encanto, 2nd July

A 12-year-old girl, who famously urged Disney to feature a young heroine with glasses, has written a message of support to Portsmouth’s No6 Cinema who are about to show Encanto… which does just that. Veteran journalist and S&C regular Peter Gruner reports.

Lowri Moore contacted the independent cinema when she heard the film will be presented on an outdoor screen at the Portsmouth Distillery, Eastney, on Saturday July 2 at 12 noon. Lowri, from Nottingham, who has worn glasses all her life, was just 9 when she wrote to Disney pointing out that none of her hero princesses ever wore specs. Disney’s directors told her – in so many words – to ‘watch this space’. Then last year they released Encanto, which stars leading character Mirabel, who wears glasses throughout the film.

One of the film’s directors, Jared Bush, was so impressed with Lowri that he invited her with her mother, Cyrilyn Moore, to the Bafta ceremony in March this year at the Royal Albert Hall, where the film won Best Animated Feature.

Cyrilyn, forwarded the following message from her daughter to No6. Lowri wrote, ‘I think it’s great to have a main character who looks fantastic in her glasses. It’s good to have better representation in the media for young glasses wearers to see they don’t have to take their glasses off to look beautiful/cool but they are fabulous just as they are.’

The film depicts a Colombian family with magical powers – all except lead Mirabel, 15, who feels left out and lacking confidence. But, she does have tremendous empathy for others, and helps save the community. The songs are written by Lin Manuel Miranda, who also created the hit musical Hamilton. The soundtrack album reached top of the UK music charts.

Lowri’s parents, Cyrilyn and Brad, run a charity called Operation Orphan that offers to support to vulnerable children across the world.

Cyrilyn added, ‘Lowri’s very sensitive of other people and feels sorry for girls younger than herself who may not feel confident in their glasses. She just wants to speak on their behalf.’

Encanto (U) is being shown on Saturday July 2 at 12noon at Portsmouth Distillery, Fort Cumberland Road. Eastney. (Tickets £5.00 12 and under, £7.50 full price). Two other films are also being shown also outside at the same Portsmouth venue on same day Saturday July 2. They are The Greatest Showman (PG) at 3.30pm and No Time To Die (12A) at 7pm. Refreshments and parking are available. Pre-bookings only. Please bring deckchairs or cushions as it is not grassy, and blankets/sun block. Phone: 07435029408/info@no6cinema.co.uk

Operation Orphan is based at Beeston, Nottingham NG9 6AA. Website here. phone0115 896 9942

Image entitled ‘Encanto logo’ by the Disney Company reused here under a Wikimedia Commons public domain licence.