ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York

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ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York

Largest festival in the world celebrating disability through film + arts

ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest US showcase of International cinema dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. ReelAbilities' mission is to promote disability inclusion and accessibility, both on and off screen. ReelAbilities is renowned for its wide-ranging international film selection, riveting convers

ations, professional workshops and arts events, as well as a leader in setting the highest standards of accessibility and inclusion in the film industry.

05/27/2026

ReelAbilities is supporting two films at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival!

KIDS LIKE ME by Cynthia Lowen and Jon Cohrs & TAKE ME HOME by Liz Sargent will be featured at Tribeca Film Festival, running June 3-14th in NYC and online.

MORE INFO 🎥 https://zurl.co/7Ztsi

[Image Description: Black and orange graphic with film stills from Kids Like Me and Take Me Home, and the Tribeca Film Festival and ReelAbilities logos.]

05/25/2026

May is ! One of the films from our recent festival NO ONE CARES ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE deep dives into the current climate and advocacy movement around mental health in the U.S.

Tune into the post-screening conversation with the film's director Gail Freedman, editor Dina Potocki, and subjects Carmelo and Kendra Vurgos, moderated by Maggie G. Mortali of NAMI-NYC. Plus, find other engaging post-screening discussions with filmmakers, subjects, and advocates from RFFNY18!

Stream ReelTalks ▶️ https://zurl.co/JK45g

NO ONE CARES ABOUT CRAZY PEOPLE is coming to multiple streaming platforms at the end of May! Apple TV pre-orders are officially open.

[Video Description: Maggie G. Mortali and Gail Freedman in conversation with a ReelAbilities screen behind them.]

05/22/2026

We were thrilled to have RJ Mitte with us for another year of ReelAbilities!

He spoke with Pavar Snipe on our Opening Night red carpet about the progress that's been made in media representation since the first year he attended.

Stay tuned for more red carpet interviews from ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2026!

Video by Limitless Laughs Productions

[Video Description: Pavar Snipe interviews RJ Mitte in front of a ReelAbilities step and repeat.]

05/21/2026

"The entertainment professionals [at ReelAbilities] are changing the narrative about disability through advancing accessibility and inclusion in their content."

On this , read about Naomi Hess's experience at ReelAbilities on the American Association of People with Disabilities blog!

READ ONLINE 📰 https://zurl.co/uVp2u

[Image Description: White and orange graphic with photo of Naomi Hess and Ali Stroker smiling. Above is the AAPD logo and text "Real Progress Towards Disability Representation at ReelAbilities Film Festival"]

05/19/2026

For the second year in a row, ReelAbilities is on the Forbes Accessibility 200 list!

We're thrilled to be recognized as one of "the biggest innovators and impact-makers in accessibility" 👏

FORBES ACCESSIBILITY 200 LIST 🔗 www.forbes.com/lists/accessibility

[Image Description: Black, orange, red, and white image with the ReelAbilities logo and orange brackets. Text reads "ReelAbilities is on the 2026 Forbes Accessibility 200"]

05/13/2026

Submissions are now open for ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2027!

We accept features (over 40 min), shorts (up to 40 min), narratives and documentaries from all countries, completed on or after January 2025. We prioritize films that are made by disabled creators, and that include authentic representations from actors, writers, directors, and crew with lived experiences with disabilities.

Regular deadline: Sept 13, 2026
Extended deadline: Oct 4, 2026
Notification date: Feb 1, 2027
Festival dates: April 8 – 14, 2027

Submit your film 🎥 filmfreeway.com/ReelAbilities

And while you're there, read through reviews from other filmmakers!

[Image Descriptions: Black and orange graphics with a headshot and quote from Howie Abrams "ReelAbilities is truly unlike any other film festival. The attention to detail, overall quality of films and their attentive and helpful staff make it outstanding. Recommended 100%!" and white text "ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2027 - Submissions now open! Submit your film at filmfreeway.com/ReelAbilities"]

05/11/2026

What's next for the films from ? ReelAbilities CEO Isaac Zablocki writes about film distribution in his op-ed "Making Disability Films Marketable" on our Dis & That blog!

READ ONLINE 📰 https://zurl.co/f8QE8

[Image Description: Black and orange graphic with a headshot of Isaac and a quote from his op-ed on Dis & That: "Virtually everyone has a personal connection to disability. This is not a niche audience; it is a vast one. American audiences need to recognize that these films are as engaging, entertaining and most of all relevant as any mainstream release.”]

05/07/2026

ReelAbilities returns to AMC+ and Sundance Now 🎥

A new slate of ReelShorts are featured in AMC Networks’ “Future of Film” series, highlighting emerging filmmakers and bold new voices. Featured titles include...
🔸 A Stupid Man
🔸 How to Build a Life
🔸 Pyramid of Disunion
🔸 The Art of Weightlessness
🔸 Unholy

Stream them all at AMCplus.com! Use code RA30FREE for 30 days on AMC+ without ads.

Image Description: 5 film stills of characters from 5 short films. White text over the image reads "Future of Film: ReelAbilities" with the AMC+ logo in the bottom right corner.

05/04/2026

The winner of our inaugural Rotten Tomatoes Audience Award is... Concerto for Other Hands (Concierto Para Otras Manos) 🏆

Congratulations to director Ernesto González Díaz and the rest of the film team!

Thank you to all of the in-person and virtual audience members who voted, and to Rotten Tomatoes for partnering with ReelAbilities. We can't wait to bring this Audience Award back every year!

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Image Description: Film sill from Concerto for Other Hands of hands on a piano. Centered on the image is the Rotten Tomatoes Audience Award laurel. A red Rotten Tomatoes border is around the image with white text "Concerto for Other Hands by Ernesto González Díaz"

05/01/2026

continues online through this weekend!

Enjoy films from the comfort of your home, complete with captions and audio descriptions.

Purchase by May 3 and watch by May 5. Each film is available for 48 hours once you begin watching.

*Available to stream exclusively in the Tri-State Area.

After you watch, be sure to cast your vote for the Rotten Tomatoes Audience Award! Voting closes on May 3 at 11:59pm ET, and the winner will be announced on May 4.

STREAM 💻 https://zurl.co/QZlwF
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Image Descriptions
1- Black and orange graphic with the ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York 2026 logo and 3 film stills. Text reads "Watch online through May 3, 2026. Only on ReelAbilities.org / Stream. Available to view in the tri-state area only."
2- Film stills of all the ReelAbilities titles available to stream
3- Screenshot of "Rate the films" step on the Rotten Tomatoes app. Above are logos for Rotten Tomatoes Critics Community and RFFNY 2026, and "Cast your vote!" in orange text.

04/30/2026

Take a look at our Walmart Sensory Lounge!

We’re proud to offer sensory spaces at our venues - a key part of making ReelAbilities accessible to all.

Video Description: A walk through of the sensory lounge featuring bean bags, tables, and lamps.

Address

New York, NY
10023

Telephone

+16465055708

Website

http://reelabilities.org/newyork/

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