ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York

Home
United States
New York, NY
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 conversations, professional workshops and arts events, as well as a leader in setting the highest standards of accessibility and inclusion in the film industry.

10/02/2026

For nearly two decades, ReelAbilities has brought powerful disability stories to the screen, opened doors for disabled artists, and built a community around authentic, accessible storytelling.

As we enter our 19th year and expand our work as a year-round nonprofit, we invite you to be part of this moment and help carry this work forward. Make your gift today and help shape what comes next!

09/30/2026

Submissions for the 2027 ReelAbilities Industry Summit are OPEN!

We are accepting applications for Session Proposals and Pitch Competition Projects for our Industry Summit taking place April 12–13, 2027 during the 19th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York.

Learn more and submit by Jan 4 ⬇️

SUMMIT SESSION PROPOSAL: https://zurl.co/3Y12t
PITCH PROJECT APPLICATION: https://zurl.co/sD2U2

[Image Description: Ashley Eakin smiling in front of a ReelAbilities step and repeat holding two pitch competition certificates as someone takes her photo. Text reads "Call for Submissions! Industry Summit Session Proposals & Pitch Competition Projects" with the Industry Summit logo and website on a blue bar.]

09/29/2026

ReelAbilities is thrilled to partner with the Hamptons International Film Festival on the East Coast premiere of BEING HEUMANN!

Screenings will be held on October 3 at 11:30 AM at East Hampton Regal UA, and on October 9 at 11:15 AM at Guild Hall.

TICKETS 🎟️ https://zurl.co/oUD2p

[Image Description: Blue graphic with film still from Being Heumann and text "East Coast Premiere: Being Heumann. 10/3, 11:30 AM, EAST HAMPTON UA. 10/9, 11:15 AM, GUILD HALL. Hamptons International Film Festival. October 2-12, 2026."]

09/28/2026

Join ReelAbilities and the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to celebrate with a FREE virtual screening this Wednesday!

On September 30 from 5:30-7:00pm, we're hosting a community screening of three Deaf-related short films: TALK, THEM THAT'S NOT, and ¡SALSA! followed by a conversation with the filmmakers and representatives from MOPD. This event is free and open to the public. ASL, Open Captions and Audio Description will be provided.

REGISTER 🎬 https://zurl.co/bCaJt

[Image Description: Black and orange graphic with a film still from Them That's Not and logos for MOPD and ReelAbilities. Text reads "National Deaf Awareness Month Free Virtual Screening. September 30, 5:30-7:00 PM, Virtual. Watch Deaf-related short films TALK, THEM THAT'S NOT, and ¡SALSA! followed by a discussion with the filmmakers and the NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)."]

09/25/2026

Join ReelAbilities at The Gotham Week on Monday!

Don't miss our interactive session "Nothing About Us Without Us" as Production Strategy with CEO Isaac Zablocki and filmmakers Scott Ruderman, Liz Sargent, and Daisy Friedman on September 28 at 11 AM in Brooklyn.

MORE INFO + RSVP ➡️ thegotham.org/gotham-week/expo

[Image Description: Red and white graphic with logos for The 2026 Gotham Week and ReelAbilities. Text reads "11:00am-12:15pm. "Nothing About Us Without Us" as Production Strategy led by ReelAbilities. This interactive session explores how incorporating disability perspectives from the earliest stages can strengthen both the artistic and commercial success of a project."]

09/24/2026

ReelAbilities was thrilled to host the NY Launch event of the Valuable 500 and BBC Studios “All-In" Series!

Learn More 📰 https://zurl.co/l7CWn

Photos by Emma Paton

[Image Descriptions: Groups of people in front of a ReelAbilities step and repeat.]

09/22/2026

TOMORROW! Don't miss A Taste of ReelAbilities: Jamestown 2026 for a free screening of 25 PROSPECT STREET 🎥

🗓️ September 23
🕒 Doors open at 6 PM, film starts at 7 PM
📍 Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY

[Image Description: Poster for A Taste of ReelAbilities: Jamestown 2026 with 3 film stills and text "Free admission! Feature Film: 25 PROSPECT STREET. Join us for a look at the sparkle and struggles of The Prospector - a non-profit movie theater with a mission of providing meaningful employment for people with disabilities. September 23, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Film starts at 7:00 PM. Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. 116 East 3rd Street, Jamestown, New York"]

09/21/2026

One of cinema's first action heroes was a Black disabled man. You probably haven't heard of him. That changes October 7.

Meet Steve “Peg” Reynolds in THE FLYING ACE (1926)!

Join us Wednesday, October 7, at Indiana University Cinema in Bloomington, Indiana. In collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife as part of its Of the People programming commemorating the United States' 250th anniversary.

This centennial presentation launches ReelAbilities Rediscover, a new initiative using landmark films to connect history, community, culture, and access with live musical accompaniment from GRAMMY Award-winning Matthew Whitaker and Robert Derke. Presented with ASL and live captions in partnership with the Black Film Center & Archive at Indiana University and the The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School. Audio description by Bridge Multimedia.

MORE INFO + RSVP 🔗 reelabilities.org/the-flying-ace

[Video Description: Black and white film clips from The Flying Ace followed by text on screen that reads "One of cinema's first action heroes was a black disabled man. You probably haven't heard of him. That changes October 7. Meet Steve 'Peg' Reynolds. Now you know his name. See him in action. ReelAbilities International in collaboration with Black Film Center & Archive, Indiana University Cinema, FMDG Music School. Live musical accompaniment by Grammy Award Winner Matthew Whitaker and Robert Derke. Grant support for BFCA from Indiana University Foundation and Black Philanthropy Circle. In collaboration with Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Save the date: October 7, 2026. IU Cinema Bloomington, Indiana."]

09/18/2026

Join us on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:45pm for a preview screening of TAKE ME HOME!

Anna cares for her aging parents in a fragile balance of meeting one another’s needs. When a Florida heat wave shatters their routine, her future is uncertain until she creates a world where she can thrive.

The screening will be followed by a conversation featuring:

-Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
- Liz Sargent, Writer/Director, Take Me Home
- Allison Kleinman, Founder & CEO, Future Centered Care
- Dr. Young She Bae, CIDA NY
- Moderated by Lydia Storie, Director of Culture Change, Caring Across Generations

🎟️ https://zurl.co/va47v

Want a FREE ticket? Complete this short survey to add your unique perspective to 1 Million Care Conversations and help shape the future of caregiving in the U.S. ➡️ https://zurl.co/lfY3t

[Image Descriptions: Film stills from Take Me Home of two women sitting on a bench with logos for Caring Across Generations, ReelAbilities, Willa, and 1 Million Care Conversations above. Text reads “Take Me Home Preview Screening. Tues, Sept 22, 7:45 PM. Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (L2 Auditorium). Screening followed by a panel discussion.” Headshots for the following panels are in circle frames: Lydia Storie (Caring Across Generations), Allison Kleinman (Future Centered Care), Liz Sargent (writer/director/producer), Dr. Young She Bae (CIDA), and Nisha Agarwal (NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities).]

09/17/2026

Join SVA's Disability & Visibility event on September 24 at 7:30 PM at SVA Theatre!

This screening and Q&A of TAKE ME HOME and the world premiere of documentary NO PINNACLE WITHOUT THE MIRACULOUS is a part of SVA's FREE annual film festival, After School Special.

Learn more 🎥 https://zurl.co/Jng9n

[Image Description: Film still from No Pinnacle Without The Miraculous of a woman using a wheelchair on a fashion show runway.]

Address

New York, NY
10023

Telephone

+16465055708

Website

http://reelabilities.org/newyork/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York:

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in New York?