ReelAbilities Film Festival
The world's largest film festival dedicated to disability experience, held annually in New York City and touring to over 25 cities, presenting films that celebrate the lives, stories, and artistic expression of people with disabilities.
Overview
ReelAbilities Film Festival is the world's largest film festival dedicated to disability experience. Founded in 2007 and held annually in New York City before touring to over 25 cities across the United States, the festival presents films that celebrate the lives, stories, and artistic expression of people with disabilities.
The festival was founded by the JCC Manhattan and has grown into a network of city-based festivals that collectively reach hundreds of thousands of viewers annually. The touring model means that the ReelAbilities network functions as one of the most geographically distributed specialty film events in the United States.
Disability representation in film has historically been extremely limited, with non-disabled actors frequently cast in disability roles and disability narratives often centered on tragedy or inspiration for non-disabled audiences. ReelAbilities specifically programs films that are created by or center the perspectives and agency of disabled people themselves.
Key Sections
- Feature Film Program -- documentary and narrative features about disability experience
- Short Film Program -- short films addressing disability
- Youth Program -- films for young audiences about disability
- Artist Conversations -- filmmaker discussions
- Accessibility Events -- screenings with ASL interpretation, audio description, and open captions
What Filmmakers Should Know
ReelAbilities accepts open submissions. All screenings are presented with accessibility accommodations including ASL interpretation, audio description, and open captions. For filmmakers addressing disability experience from within disability communities, this is the most important dedicated platform available.
Major Awards
- Audience Award -- voted by festival communities across the touring network
Festival History
ReelAbilities was founded in 2007 by JCC Manhattan and has grown into a 25-city touring network.
See Also
For disability representation, see Documentary Filmmaking Guide. For specialty festivals, see Film Festival Strategy.
