Earlier this month, Girlguiding groups from all over the country set upon a magical journey with Mirabel!

In the first few weeks of December, over 35,000 members of the Girlguiding group, the UK’s largest girl-only youth organisation descended upon ODEON cinema screens to watch Disney’s Encanto. The movie is about the Madrigal family and centred upon the main character, Mirabel who struggles to find her gift. All her family members have their own, and the message of the movie is that we all have our own Encanto inside of us.

One leader from the 3rd Stanmore Brownies unit said:

“It was a remarkable experience that I will always cherish.

What is so special about this cinema experience for me? When I was a Brownie, I didn't have this kind of experience, but now, being a leader in the same Brownie unit, I can see how females are taking the spotlight.

Seeing the movie's message of leadership was inspiring but seeing it in an ODEON cinema with loads of other brownies was magical!

How many young people can say that they have been to the cinema that is booked out only for them? As well as that, an exclusive interview with the creators? This movie has made an impact on thousands of Girlguiding members who experienced the magic of Mirabel from Disney's Encanto. I hope that every single member of Girlguiding who saw the movie, remembers the powerful message, that everyone has a gift and Encanto!

Thank you to ODEON, Girlguiding and especially my unit leaders for giving all of us this wonderful experience!”

The movie, which is set in Columbia, features Latin American inspired songs, and the title of the movie, Encanto is Spanish for charm, so as the Leader said above, everyone has their own charm! The movie is directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush and Mirabel is voiced by Stephanie Beatriz.

Girlguiding is the nation’s largest girl-only youth organisation, with over 240,000 girls as members. It runs from ages 5-18 years, with 5-7 years in Rainbows, 7-10 years in Guides and 14-18 years in Rangers. It was founded in 1910 by Robert Baden-Powell and his sister Agnes Baden-Powell, originally named the Girl Guides.