The 13th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York will kick off to a virtual edition with films streaming Apr 29–May 5, and in person session at the Queens Drive-in for the opening night with Best Summer Ever by Michael Parks Randa + Lauren Smitelli!
Tickets are now on sale for the 13th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York. |
OPENING NIGHT SCREENING AT THE QUEENS DRIVE-IN
BEST SUMMER EVER |
Dir. Michael Parks Randa + Lauren Smitelli
US | 2020 | 80 min |
 Two summer lovers—Sage (Shannon DeVido, Difficult People) and Anthony (Ricky Wilson, Jr.)—are separated by circumstance…or are they? A fresh take on the beloved teen musical, featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities. Pre-show features violinist Itzhak Perlman, a performance from Lachi, and more. Presented in partnership with Rooftop Films, with the support of Pfizer. Thu, Apr 29 6:30 pm | Doors open + pre-show begins 7:30 pm | Opening remarks, performance, and film screening followed by Q+A For more info + tickets, click here. |
CLOSING NIGHT
NOT GOING QUIETLY |
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Dir. Nicholas Bruckman US | 2021| 96 min |
 Ady Barkan is diagnosed with ALS and given four years to live. After learning of a new legislation proposal jeopardizing programs critical to his survival, he embarks on a cross-country tour to fight for healthcare justice.Q+A Wed, May 5, 7 pm For tickets, click here. |
| AHEAD OF THE CURVE |
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Dir. Jen Rainin US | 2020 | 97 min |
 The story of Franco Stevens, a wheelchair user, and the founding of Curve magazine, tracing the power of lesbian visibility and community from the early ‘90s to the present day. Q+A Fri, Apr 30, 6 pm For tickets, click here. |
| AUGMENTED |
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Dir. Matthew Orr US | 2019 | 81 min |
 Hugh Herr, a double amputee and MIT scientist, sets out on a personal journey to improve the technology of prosthetics. Q+A Tue, May 4, 1 pm For tickets, click here. |
| CRUTCH |
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Dir. Chandler Evans + Sachi Cunningham US | 2020 | 93 min |
 This film chronicles the life of artist Bill Shannon, a renowned breakdancer and skateboarder on crutches, as he uses his performance skills to tear apart the world of assumptions that surrounds us all.Q+A Sat, May 1, 8 pm For tickets, click here. |
| IN A DIFFERENT KEY |
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Dir. Caren Zucker + John Donvan US | 2020 | 102 min |
 A mother tracks down the first person ever diagnosed with autism to rural Mississippi to learn whether his life story holds promise for her own autistic son.Q+A Tue, May 4, 7 pm For tickets, click here. |
| MARICARMEN |
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Dir. Sergio Morkin Mexico | 2019 | 80 min |
 With a biting sense of humor and a fierce attitude, Maricarmen Graue, a cello player, music teacher, writer, and marathon runner, navigates the trials and triumphs of living alone and being blind.Q+A Mon, May 3, 5 pm For tickets, click here. |
| THE SPECIAL |
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Dir. Ignacio Márquez Venezuela | 2020 | 91 min |
 Chuo, a charming young man with Down Syndrome, must navigate the challenges of early adulthood.Q+A Sun, May 2, 6 pm For tickets, click here. |
| THE WORLD IS BRIGHT |
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Dir. Ying Wang Canada | 2019 | 116 min |
 The 10-year journey of a Chinese couple searching for the truth behind their son’s mysterious death in Canada. What starts out looking like a murder mystery turns into a revelation about mental health among immigrants.Q+A Tue, May 4, 5 pm For tickets, click here. |
| SHORT FILMS 1 |
 SINGLE | Dir. Ashley Eakin | US
VERISIMILITUDE | Dir. David Proud | UK
WIGGLE ROOM | Dir. Sam Guest +
Julia Baylis | US
HOW MUCH AM I WORTH? |
Dir. Rachel Handler | US Q+A Sat, May 1, 2 pm | For tickets, click here. |
| SHORT FILMS 2 |
 DAVID | Dir. Zach Woods | US
DEAD END DRIVE |
Dir. Alexander Yellen | US
DEAFINITION | Dir. Nicole Miller | Australia
SECOND TIME | Dir. Rafa Oliveira | Brazil
I’M SO FAR | Dir. Leo Grandperret | France THE SECRET LIFE OF TOM LIGHTFOOT | Dir. Ray Jacobs | UK Q+A Sat, May 1, 4 pm | For tickets, click here. |
| SHORT FILMS 3 |
 CHARON | Dir. Cullen Parr | US
COEXIST | Dir. Komeil Soheili | Iran
HAL AND MINTER | Dir. Ram Devineni | US
MY LAYERS | Dir. Susanne Serres | Canada
STRANGE | Dir. Cameron Carr | UK Q+A Sat, May 1, 6 pm | For tickets, click here. |
| SHORT FILMS 4 |
 FULL PICTURE | Dir. Jacob Reed | US
NEURIM | Dir. Shaylee Atary | Israel
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE Dir. Mads Koudal | Denmark
DADDY'S GIRL | Dir. Cian Elyse White | New Zealand Q+A Sun, May 2, 2 pm | For tickets, click here. |