Powerful new film explores how courts can fail autistic witnesses

A compelling new narrative film, inspired by research into how autistic people experience the justice system, will premiere at the BAFTA-qualifying Norwich Film Festival this weekend.

A Witness is inspired by the real experiences of autistic witnesses giving evidence in courts, as told to researchers in the Centre for Applied Autism Research at the University of Bath.

The research, led by Dr Katie Maras and Dr Ralph Bagnall, researchers from the Department of Psychology at Bath, investigated how courtroom procedures affect autistic people, and whether current adaptations truly support their ability to give evidence and access justice. It also examines how jurors and judges perceive autistic people, and what training legal professionals need to better support them.

The research is ongoing, but early findings highlight the influence of individual differences – such as how a witness processes information – as well as interpersonal factors, like two-way communication between the witness and barrister, and broader systemic issues, including the availability of adaptations and the wider courtroom environment.

The seven-minute film follows the fictional story of an autistic witness who gives evidence in court about a fatal stabbing at a bus stop. The witness attempts to ignore the buzzing courtroom lights and the constant eye contact from the jury, and tries to manage her own distressing emotions recalling the event – all while navigating the confusing questions from the barrister, who doesn’t seem to understand her situation or engage in a way that assists her to provide her account.

Events in the crown court are intercut with a visualisation of the autistic mind, where the viewer gets to experience the inner workings of the witness's thought processes.

The screening of A Witness offers a rare opportunity to engage with the human stories behind the data – and to reflect on how the justice system can better serve neurodivergent individuals.

The film was created by an entirely autistic core team, including writers and directors Linda Ludwig and James Curle (Man of the Hour), producer Tim Willrich (The Ghost and the Gun) and lead actor Emily Carey (known for their roles as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon and Harriet Manners in Geek Girl). The team was also joined by cast members Sharon Small (London Kills) and Jordan Peters (My Lady Jane), casting director Kat Edmonds (Alien:Earth), editor Tom White (The Rings of Power) and sound designer Joe Beal (BAFTA-winner Chernobyl).

Dr Maras said: “Our aim in making this film is to shine a light on the challenges autistic people face in the courtroom.

“Giving evidence is often a significant emotional event for anyone, but the sensory and emotional intensity experienced by autistic people, as a result of the bright lights, noise, crowded waiting areas and cross-examinations, can be overwhelming.

“Social communication challenges and difficulties processing verbal information often makes matters even worse, as does the complex, indirect and verbose language often used by crown court barristers. “All of this means autistic witnesses often can’t give their best evidence.

“If this film sparks conversations that lead to meaningful change in how evidence is taken when autistic individuals are called to the witness stand, we will have achieved what we set out to do.”

James Curle, one half of the writing and directing duo, said: “We visualised the Herculean efforts that are going on inside the witness to adjust to a system built for a different neurology. A lot of people think the struggle is being autistic. But the actual struggle is the attempt to communicate, relate and connect in a world built for a different neurology.”

“We want the audience to feel what it is like to be autistic, how verbal communication is understood, how sensory overload stacks and how intensely emotions are felt – which is often not visible on the outside.”

Linda Ludwig added: “This film looks at autism from a place of difference and diversity – that different brains work in different ways – and that understanding, awareness and inclusion make a huge difference. We are very grateful to the incredible cast and crew, many of whom are neurodivergent, who came together to create this special film.”

The research underpinning the film

Dr Katie Maras’ research project, Autistic People’s Experiences in Court: Measuring Special Measures, combined interviews and surveys with autistic individuals and legal professionals to uncover the emotional toll of giving evidence – particularly in high-stakes cases.

This research was followed by a series of simulated mock trials involving real juries and autistic witnesses, designed to explore the impact of adapted courtroom language and how jurors perceive autistic individuals.

Event details

• Screening of: A Witness, Norwich Film Festival
• Date: November 15, 2025
• Time: 13:00
• Venue: Screen 2, Cinema City Picturehouse
• Ticket link: https://tinyurl.com/4hcvtx7f 

Journalists are warmly invited to attend the screening and speak with the directors and some members of the cast.

The film was supported by Media Trust Films and the Economic and Social Research Council, as well as Executive Producers Eric R. Polins, Robert & Tajila Hessel and Sean A. Coniglio and Associate Producer Peter Flockhart.