The ReelAbilities Film Festival NY is a showcase of international movies by and about people with different abilities.
It was founded in 2007 by the Marlene Mayerson JCC Manhattan, and expanded nationally in 2010.
Isaac Zablocki is the festival Co-Founder and Director.
10th ReelAbilities Film Festival NY 2018
The 10th ReelAbilities Film Festival NY is Thursday – Wednesday, March 8 – 14, 2018 at the Marlene Mayerson JCC Manhattan and over 30 other venues in all five New York City boroughs.
Opening night movie is 2017 Tribeca Film Festival winner Keep the Change.
On opening night, Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God) will be presented with a Spotlight Award by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
The Festival closes with Matan Yair’s Scaffolding which won Best Israeli Feature and Best Actor awards at the 2017 Jerusalem Film Festival.
Latin Movies at the ReelAbilities Film Festival NY 2018
Brazilian Movies
Leo & Carol
Leo & Carol is a 2015 documentary short comedy directed by Alvaro Campos and Dafne Capella.
Leo, a “vertically challenged” public officer and comedian, is about to marry Carol, a teacher who is 5’5″ tall.
Screenings:
Reel Shorts 3 program
Sunday, March 11 at 6 pm
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Upper West Side, Manhattan
$11 – $15
Real Shorts 3 program
Tuesday, March 13 at 4 pm
Lehman College Music Building, East Dining Room
Jerome Park, The Bronx
Free
In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Colombian Movies
Hero Steps
Henry Rincón’s 2016 feature Hero Steps (Pasos de Heroe) gets its New York premiere.
A casualty of the decades-long fighting in Colombia, 10-year-old Eduardo lost his leg after stepping on a landmine. Deposited by his impoverished parents at a children’s home, he and his friends secretly practice to compete in a children’s soccer tournament to avoid the wrath of the home’s tyrannical director.
“Porque todos tenemos suenos” (Because we all have dreams)
For our children’s sake, we must end the civil war in Colombia!
Screenings:
- Saturday, March 10 at 4:30 pm
St. Charles Hospital at Port Jefferson Center
Port Jefferson, Long Island
Free with RSVP - Sunday, March 11 at 1 pm
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Upper West Side, Manhattan
$11 – $15
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Italian Movies
Have No Fear
Have No Fear is a 2016 narrative short directed by Marco Calvise.
A day in the life of an elderly Alzheimer’s patient, experiencing nearly everything for the first time, including his own descent into dementia.
Screening in the Reel Shorts program:
- Friday, March 9 at 3 pm
67th Street New York Public Library
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free - Saturday, March 10 at 4:30 pm
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free with RSVP
In Italian with English subtitles.
Spanish Movies
Design-Ability
Design-Ability is a Catalan – Spanish documentary short with a group of directors.
The design studio La Casa de Carlota in Barcelona harnesses the unique skills of a creative team which includes members with Down syndrome and autism.
That is incredibly smart!
Screenings:
- Friday, March 9 at 1:30 pm
Reel Shorts program
Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free with RSVP - Saturday, March 10 at 2 pm
with Bottom Dollars
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Hell’s Kitchen (Midtown West), Manhattan
Free with RSVP - Saturday, March 10 at 4:30 pm
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free with RSVP - Monday, March 12 at 6 pm
Baruch Performing Arts Center
Kips Bay, Manhattan
Tickets $5 – $10
ReelAbilities Film Festival 2018 Tickets
Tickets are sold by the venues. Find ticketing information with the films at reelabilities.org