• By Mabel Pais

Featuring RADHA MEHTA’s ‘Dosh’

The REELABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL: NEW YORK (reelabilities.org/newyork) is proud to present its 16th edition of films and schedule. There will be a star-studded opening night, following which the festival has 26 films selected for the Festival, April 3-10, 2024.

Raising the bar on accessibility and inclusion, the Festival will take place in multiple venues throughout NYC, Long Island and Westchester, with a selection of titles available online from April 3–10, 2024. This year brings together audiences to explore and celebrate the artistic expression and engaging stories of groundbreaking disabled talent.

The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest showcase in the United States dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Through riveting films and engaging conversations, accompanied by an Industry Summit and other cultural events, ReelAbilities brings the wider community together to celebrate and explore our shared human experience. All presentations bring groundbreaking accessibility, raising the bar on inclusive film screenings and events.

“These films are not just inclusive, they are first and foremost great films, and happen to highlight a variety of important topics such as disability inclusion, human rights, and other social issues.” says Isaac Zablocki, ReelAbilities’ co-founder and director. “This is our most diverse lineup to date and we are proud to feature authentic and first-person stories that bring these underserved images to the surface in the most responsible and engaging manner.”

The festival slate announced to date includes 12 features and 14 shorts in the film lineup. Close to 60% of the films are World, US and NY premieres, and 50% are made by women filmmakers. At 42%, this year includes a record number of US-produced feature films, alongside films from the UK, Bolivia, Australia, the Netherlands, Kurdistan and more.

The ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York will continue to host its annual Industry Summit on April 8 and 9, highlighting topics of disability inclusion and equity in the film and performing arts industries, in partnership with The NYC Mayor’s Office for Media and Entertainment. An expanded pitch program and a slate of industry awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

The festival will also showcase additional events and conversations relating to disabilities throughout the week of the festival including its popular Comedy Night, and The Future of Accessible Beauty panel.

2024 REELABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP 

Join the JCC Festival organizers at the 16th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, April 3–10, celebrating disability through film, both virtually and in person in venues throughout NY.

All films are followed by a conversation with filmmakers, protagonists and guests!

OPENING NIGHT

EZRA – New York City Premiere

Dir. Tony Goldwyn; Narrative; English; US; 2023; 100 min

EZRA follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (Robert De Niro), while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne). When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives.

Watch the trailer – youtu.be/Q1-M9lwNIgQ

WEDNESDAY APR 3; 6:00 PM; THE TIMES CENTER (reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/times-center)

CLOSING NIGHT

GOOD BAD THINGS

Dir. Shane D. Stanger; US; 2023; 96 min

Danny, a young man with muscular dystrophy, steps out of his comfort zone and into the world of online dating after being disillusioned by failed relationships. An unexpected match with Madi, an enigmatic photographer, challenges him to be vulnerable and sparks a profound journey of self-acceptance, discovering the extraordinary beauty of his unique body. 

Trailer – youtu.be/WZ90D3lvLZM

WEDNESDAY APR 10; 6:00 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

(reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/marlene-meyerson-jcc-manhattan)

DARUMA

Dir. Alexander Yellen; US; 2023; 104 min

When day-drinking, unemployed paraplegic Patrick finds out he is the father of a 4-year-old girl he never knew existed, he enlists the help of his double amputee veteran neighbor Robert to drive him and his newfound daughter across the country to live with her maternal grandparents.

Clip – youtu.be/BISGJlyYpzY

SATURDAY APR 6; 8:30 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

TUESDAY APR 9; 7:00 PM; JCC OF STATEN ISLAND (reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/jcc-staten-island-stolzenberg-social-hall)

IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?

Dir. Ella Glendining; UK; 2023; 87 min

While navigating daily discrimination, a filmmaker who loves her unusual body searches the world for another person like her and explores what it takes to love oneself fiercely despite society’s misconceptions. 

Trailer – youtu.be/yZGIjfQgg-c

THURSDAY APR 4; 8:15 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

FRIDAY APR 5; 8:15 PM; MAYSLES DOCUMENTARY CENTER

(reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/maysles-documentary-center)

SUNDAY APR 7; 2 PM; DCTV FIREHOUSE CINEMA

(reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/dctv-downtown-community-television-center) 

LA LUCHA

Dir. Violeta Ayala; Australia/US/Bolivia; 2023; 93 min

Activists lead a courageous 35-day, 250-mile journey across the Andes to reach the Bolivian capital, battling harsh conditions and hunger along the way. Confronting barricades, riot police, and hostility from fellow citizens, these activists persist and ultimately arrive in La Paz, rewriting national history.

Trailer – youtu.be/aSmPUt_jRtE

STREAMING APR 3-10

SOCIAL JUSTICE FRIDAY: APR 5; 6:00 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

SATURDAY APR 6; 1:30 PM; MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE

(reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/museum-moving-image)

LEFT ALONE RHAPSODY:  The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless

Dir. Stewart M. Schulman; US; 2023; 100 min

At 25, Leonard Bernstein’s protégé, John Bayless, debuted at Carnegie Hall, launching a 30-year-long recording career as a solo pianist, composer, and improviser. At 54, after a left-brain stroke immobilized his right side, John is determined to reinvent himself as a one-handed musician and storyteller.

Trailer – youtu.be/EiaJ44-Klys 

STREAMING APR 3-10

THURSDAY APR 4; 7:00 PM; BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY (reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/bpl) 

MONDAY APR 8; 6:00 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

LOUD LOVE

Dir. Bing Wang; USA; 2024; 90 min

Pushing back against ongoing prejudice, deaf gay couple Alan and Brian pursue parenthood, raising two hearing children through international surrogacy. Loud Love follows their journey of fatherhood, family, and relationships.

Trailer: youtu.be/o6BqtR0Bnu4

STREAMING APR 3-10

SUNDAY APR 7; 5:30 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

NAME ME LAWAND

Dir. Edward Lovelace; UK; 2022; 82 min

Deaf since birth, five-year-old Lawand undertakes a treacherous journey with his family from Iraq to Derby, home of the Royal School for the Deaf. When this new life comes under threat of deportation, they begin a new quest – a fight to stay in the place they now call home.

Trailer: youtu.be/bZq0I84g4Uk

MONDAY APR 8; 7:15 PM; JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER (reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/jacob-burns-film-center)

TUESDAY APR 9; 6:00 PM; MARLENE MAYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

US; 2023; 104 min 

OKTHANKSBYE

Dir. Nicole van Kilsdonk; Netherlands; 2023; 92 min

Classmates at a boarding school for the deaf, shy Jamie and bold Imane set off on an unexpected road trip to Paris. When things do not go as planned, and the trip takes an adventurous turn, Jamie must come out of her shell.

Trailer – youtu.be/baYa-4EWKQI

STREAMING APR 3-10

WEDNESDAY APR 3; 5:30 PM; MANHATTAN COLLEGE KELLY COMMONS

(reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/manhattan-college) 

RALLY CAPS

Dir. Lee Cipolla; US; 2023; 95 min

In this star-studded family drama, young Jordy, who is recovering from a serious Little League baseball injury, goes to summer camp where he forms a friendship with Lucas, who just had Cochlear Implant surgery. Together, they form a special bond as friends and pitcher/catcher duo and lead their team in the camp championship game.

Clip – youtu.be/VZox-vk7nIM

SUNDAY APR 7; 2:45 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN (Shown with: Deaf Giants 

TUESDAY APR 9; 7:00 PM; GOLD COAST IFF AT MANHASSET CINEMAS

(reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/gciff)

SEXUAL HEALING

Dir. Elsbeth Fraanje; Netherlands; 2022; 55 min

Evelien, a 53-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, sets out on a disarming and often funny quest for intimacy and exploration of her sexuality, unearthing needs she has been suppressing her entire life.

Trailer – youtu.be/2CQ2tw1oirI

STREAMING APR 3-10

MONDAY APR 8; 8:30 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

TELL THEM YOU LOVE ME

Dir. Nick August-Perna; US; 2023; 103 min

This true-crime documentary follows the story of an esteemed university professor who becomes embroiled in a controversial affair with Derrick Johnson, a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy, leading to a criminal trial that would challenge our perceptions of disability and the nature of consent.

Clip – youtu.be/Y5TpsEOtcw0

THURSDAY APR 4; 7:00 PM; MAYSLES DOCUMENTARY CENTER 

FRIDAY APR 5; 7:00 PM; CHELSEA FACTORY (reelabilities.org/newyork/venue/chelsea-factory)

SATURDAY APR 6; 6:15 PM; MARLENE MEYERSON JCC MANHATTAN

REEL SHORTS

OUT OF THE BOX

FILMS THAT PUSH THE LIMITS OF CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION. STREAMING APRIL 3–10

MMJCCM: SAT, APR 6, 2 PM

(NEURO)DIVERGENT

A UNIQUE LENS INTO THE DIVERSE AND AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH NEUROLOGICAL DIFFERENCES.

STREAMING APRIL 3–10

MMJCCM: SUN, APR 7, 1 PM

MENTAL HEALTH

POIGNANT AND INSIGHTFUL REFLECTIONS ON THE COMPLEXITIES OF MENTAL HEALTH.

STREAMING APRIL 3–10

MMJCCM: SAT, APR 6, 4:30 PM

DOSH – East Coast Premiere

DIRECTED BY RADHA MEHTA

16 Min; English, Hindi; United States; Narrative; Short; Open Captions

Family, motherhood

When her son’s life is put at risk at their family’s pre-wedding ritual, a mother with hearing loss must decide how to seek help for her husband to keep her family safe.

ACCESSIBILITY

ReelAbilities strives to include all people.

All films are presented with open captions and all venues are accessible to mobility devices. At the MMJCC, the main festival venue, the following are available:

ASL Interpretation; CART; Audio description; Hearing assist; Information in Braille

For specific accommodation at all other venues, please check online or contact the screening venue directly.

Wearing a mask is encouraged.

FOR FULL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE + INFO, VISIT: REELABILITIES.ORG/NEWYORK.

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)