ReelAbilities Film Festival at Montclair State University

ReelAbilities, the largest disability film festival in the country, will be hosted at Montclair State University and at JCC Metrowest in West Orange.

The Festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of and about people with different abilities. Post screening speakers, presentations and other engaging programs bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. For close to a decade, each spring, the JCC Manhattan selects finalists from hundreds of films submitted internationally and premieres with a festival week in Manhattan, followed by city venues across the country throughout the year coordinated through LADD in Cincinnati.

ReelAbilities strives for inclusion and offers many accommodations. All films are captioned or subtitled (unless otherwise noted) and all venues are wheelchair accessible. We also offer audio description, ASL interpretation, CART, and information in Braille for select events and upon advance request. Please see each film or event listing for accessibility information. Anyone needing additional accommodations to participate should contact the screening location in their city in advance of the event.

Join and experience cutting edge and sometimes controversial films that challenge assumptions and promote discussion about ability and disability!

The schedule at Montclair State University is:

November 1 at 8pm: The Finishers — a 17 year old with CP urges his father to compete with him in the IronMan Triathalon and short film Bumblebees about the challenges of dating for a teen with a disability. Speakers from Achilles and from Easter Seals will lead post film discussion followed by a reception.

November 2 at 6:30 pm: Marguerita with a Straw — a funky coming of age tale of Laila, a Pujabi teen, aspiring writer and wheelchair rebel who leaves India to attend NYU. Bold and brave portrait of live, identity and sexuality (18+ adult content, language and images).

November 3 at 7:45 pm: No Ordinary Hero: The Superdeafy Movie — a deaf actor who plays a superhero on television influences a deaf boy to redefine what “being normal” means. Post film presentation by the group Silent NO MORE, individuals who share experiences of growing up with a hearing loss, accompanies by Kathy Buckley, comedienne with a hearing loss. Meet and greet the cast reception.

All screenings are free. But you’ll need to reserve your seat online here