The first annual Realabilities New York Disabilities Film Festival mission is dedicated to illuminating the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities, by bringing together the community to focus on issues related to the lives of people with disabilities.
Through a three-day festival, from September 21 through 23 with screenings in 14 locations throughout New York City and surrounding counties, the festival’s founders’ and coordinators’ aim to raise awareness of the challenges of living with a disability. Through documentaries and short films by and about the lives of people with disabilities, the festival promises to enlighten the general public about individuals with developmental, learning, physical and psychiatric disabilities.
Premiering the week before National Disability Awareness Month, the festival will provide a platform for individuals and the community to learn more about living with disabilities. Through screenings followed by special conversations with filmmakers and authorities in the field, the festival will celebrate the spirit of individuals who use art as a means to help overcome obstacles, as well as raise the consciousness of the public.
The festival will present seven award-winning films on disabilities. The festival’s founders and coordinators partnered with many of the leading disability organizations throughout the New York metropolitan area. The main location of the film festival will be at the JCC of Manhattan. It will simultaneously take place in multiple locations, expected to receive unparalleled region-wide attention and participation among thousands of art-savvy and engaged filmgoers.
“Let a thousand flowers bloom,” says Anita Altman of the festival’s intentions. Ms. Altman is the Deputy Managing Director of Department of Government and External Affairs of UJA-Federation, the founder of its Task Force on People with Disabilities and the founder of the Realabilities Film Festival. Her mission has been to expand and transform programming for people with disabilities, who are served by the UJA-Federation network of agencies. Ms. Altman is confident that the festival will help raise the consciousness of the New York community about our common humanity and the value of each person, without regard to his or her disability, as well as to understand unmet needs to help build a network of inclusion.
The Sephardic Community Center and Imagine Academy for Autism are helping to promote the film festival at the Brooklyn venues. Both community organizations understand and serve the disabled population with a variety of programming and resources. War Eagle will be screened at Brooklyn Borough Hall September 22 at 6:00 pm; Silent Games will be held at Brooklyn College Conference Center September 21 at 4:00 pm; and Ben X will be held at Long Island University on September 23 at 6:30 pm. Many films will be screened at a variety of times and locations throughout the New York metropolitan area.
This year’s film lineup includes:
War Eagle, Arkansas
RobertMilazzo/Dream/USA 2007/90 minutes
The Story of friendship between Enoch Cass, a star pitcher with a debilitating stutter, and Samuel “Wheels” Macon, his best friend with cerebral palsy. The story finds these two at the crossroads of childhood and independence. Will Enoch decide to pursue his own interest or remain shackled to his hometown and its people?
Nic Balthazar/Drama/93 minutes/Belgium/2007
Ben lives in a universe unto itself. He hides from his harsh reality of school, being bullied and awkward social interaction by escaping into his favorite online computer game, Archlord, where he is safe, strong and in control of his surrounding. In this remarkable drama, Ben devises a plan to leave his reality and to become the hero he dreams of being.
Every Time You Look at Me
Alrick Riley/Drama/87 minutes UK/2004
In this groundbreaking BBC film, Chris and Nicky meet across a crowded nightclub. There’s an undeniable spark, but falling in love with another disabled person is the last thing either is looking for. This modern-day love story questions relationships—“Every time you look at me you see yourself.”
Outsider: The Life and Art of Judith Scott
Betsey Bayha/Documentary/26 minutes/USA/ 2006
In this award-winning film, Judith Scott creates body-like sculptures from found objects. Judith has Down syndrome, is deaf and does not speak. These sculptures are her most complex means of communication. Judith has become a famous “outsider artist,” proving the power of artistic expression and the importance of loving family.
Shameless: The Art of Disability
Bonnie Sherr Klein Documentary/76 minutes Canada/2006
Director Bonnie Sherr gathers a crew of artists with diverse disabilities for a pajama party. A comedian, poet, dancer and others take a subversive look at Hollywood stereotypes of people with disabilities. They decide to continue meeting and together embark on a mission to create their own images of disability.
Silent Games: The Art of Disability
Yael Klopmann/Documentary 74minutes/Israel/2008
The captivating story of an Israeli national deaf soccer team set out to become one of the top eight contenders in the 2007 World Championship in Bulgaria. Through groundbreaking techniques, award-winning director Yael Klopmann follows the stars of this team through their victories and hardships.
Snow Cake
Marc Evans/Drama/112 minutes/UK/2007
This festival favorite starring Sigourney Weaver follows the story of Alex, an ex-convict on a road trip that picks up Vivienne, an eccentric hitchhiker. A serous car accident kills Vivienne, prompting Alex to visit Vivienne’s mother. What he discovers is a woman with high-functioning Autism who convinces him to stay after the funeral. In those few days, Alex discovers new friends and learns more about the uniqueness of Linda as he struggles to come to terms with his own grief.
Special People (NY Premier)
Justin Edgar/Drama/80 minutes/UK/2007
Enlisted to teach a class of teenagers with disabilities about filmmaking, the neurotic Jasper is met with blank indifference and a snappy attitude from the streetwise adolescents. This smartly-written comedy questions condescending outreach projects, self-defeating attitudes and the vacuity of the film business—all with a sly wink and a healthy helping of self-parody.
Stubborn and Spite
Lou Birks/Drama/3 minutes/UK/2007
Witness the mayhem that ensures when two drivers with disabilities fight over who should get the last disabled parking spot—with drastic and hilarious consequences.
For tickets or a complete schedule for screening visit realabilitites.org, or call (646) 505-5708.
