Blue color background with a person holding a tablet device

Tickets for the ReelAbilities N.J. Disabilities Film Festival are on Sale Now

2013-03-06 15:28:40 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Country’s Largest Showcase of Films by and about People with Disabilities to Premiere in North-Central N.J., from March 13-17, 2013

February 12, 2013—Tickets are now available for the Inaugural ReelAbilities: N.J. Disabilities Film Festival, to take place in 8 venues throughout North-Central N.J., from March 13th through March 17th, 2013. A special festival preview event will be hosted by Montclair State University on March 7th.

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), Seton Hall University, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Kean University, Montclair State University, JCC Metro West and Goodwill Industries’ Harrison Headquarters are among the venues to feature over 20 N.J. premieres of internationally acclaimed films, all followed by conversations with filmmakers and special guests.

ReelAbilities, the foremost presenter of disability-related films in the country, extends its reach to 13 major cities throughout the U.S. The festival promotes awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.

With the support of Kessler Foundation and the Saul Schottenstein Foundation B, New Jersey joins a list of major U.S. metropolitan areas to host the largest festival of its kind in the world, including Greater NYC, Cincinnati, Ohio; Boston, Mass.; Atlanta, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Greater DC; Chicago, Ill.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Houston, Texas, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Pittsburgh, Pa.

Kessler Foundation awarded ReelAbilities a Special Initiatives Grant—invitation-only grants that fund a spectrum of projects aimed at improving the lives of people with physical and cognitive disabilities. Rodger DeRose, president and chief executive officer of Kessler Foundation, said, “We are delighted to bring the ReelAbilities Film Festival to New Jersey. Stories told through the intimate medium of film raise awareness of people with disabilities in our communities and the obstacles they face in reaching their true potential. Our aim in bringing the festival to this great, diverse state is to promote the abilities of people with disabilities.”

ReelAbilities takes a groundbreaking approach to disability and offers cutting edge films that bring disability to the public in unprecedented ways. The festival prides itself as being the most accessible festival in the country, providing all-captioned content, ASL interpretation, CART, Braille programs and audio description for the visually impaired.

The Inaugural ReelAbilities: NJ Disabilities Film Festival features an array of new works from across the spectrum of disabilities - physical, developmental and emotional, capturing the current zeitgeist of social and political challenges in our society. The taboo topic of sexuality and disability is a theme of many of this year’s selections.

Tickets for ReelAbilities: N.J. Disabilities Film Festival are available starting February 11th, 2013. Full information about the festival, locations, films, special events, and guests is available at http://newjersey.reelabilities.org/

Films featured in the festival are:

COME AS YOU ARE
Dir. Geoffrey Enthoven
(Belgium, 2011, 115 min, Narrative)
Winner of the European Film Awards, this road-trip film follows three young men with disabilities on a quest to lose their virginity. They convince their families they need to go on a “wine tour” in Spain. But this is a cover for their true goal—a Spanish brothel which caters to people with disabilities.
Sunday, March 17, 6:00 pm @ Kean University

GETTING UP
Dir. Casky Ebeling
(USA, 2012, 73 min, Documentary)
Renowned graffiti artist TemptOne loses his creative voice after being paralyzed by Lou Gehrig's disease. Through technology and the help of his crew, he is able to create art and write again - and regain his street cred.
Wednesday, March 13, 7:00 pm @ Seton Hall University
Sunday, March 17, 4:00 pm @ Kean University

THE IMPORTANCE OF TYING YOUR OWN SHOES
Dir. Lena Koppel
(Sweden, 2011, 100 min, Narrative)
When Alex gets a job as the leader of a theater group for people with disabilities his outlook on life begins to change. Through the group’s work, Alex comes to appreciate that every person has his or own talents, which can grow given opportunity and support.
Thursday, March 7, 7:00pm @ Montclair State University
Wednesday, March 13, 7:00pm @ Kean University
Thursday, March 14, 7:30 pm @ Kaplen JCC on the Palisades 

REEL ENCONTERS 2013
Various, Collection of short international films, 110 min

AUTISM IN LOVE
Dir. Michelle Friedline
(USA, 2012, 9 min, Documentary)
The true meaning of unconditional love.

BEAUTIFUL
Dir. Genevieve Clay
(Australia, 2010, 17 min, Narrative)
A forbidden relationship displayed in public.

BE MY BROTHER
Dir. Genevieve Clay
(Australia, 2009, 8 min, Narrative)
Charm and charisma challenge the prejudices of a stranger.

DANCING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Dir. David Block
(USA, 2012, 15 min, Documentary)
Wheelchair users and able-bodied partners capture the dance floor.

FLYING ANNE
Dir. Catherine van Campen
(Netherlands, 2010, 21 min, Documentary)
The sweet 11-year-old Anne is afraid of being teased at school for her Tourette Syndrome.

JAZZ HAND
Dir. Michelle Vargas
(USA, 2009, 3 min, Narrative)
At an audition, a surprising secret is comically revealed.

SENSORY OVERLOAD
Dir. Miguel Jiron
(USA, 2012, 3 min, Narrative)
An animated glimpse into the sensory overload experienced by people with autism.

WILLOWBROOK
Dir. Ross Cohen
(USA, 2012, USA, 16 min, Narrative)
1964. A doctor discovers his institution is conducting experiments on children with developmental disabilities.
Shown in different venues:
Thursday, March 14, 6:00 pm @ Goodwill Industries Harrison
Thursday, March 14, 7:00 pm @ Seton Hall University
Saturday, March 16, 6:00 pm @ Kean University
Sunday, March 17, 2:00 pm @ Kean University

REEL SIGNS

COMING HOME
Dir. Louis Neethling
(UK, Narrative, 2009, 27 min, Narrative)
A deaf man adopted by hearing parents is determined to uncover the truth about his past.

DEPARTURE LOUNGE
Dir. Louis Neethling
(UK, 2010, 27 min, Narrative) Deafness
A young hospital cleaner avoids responsibility, until an unlikely patient gives him courage to face life.

THE CONFERENCE
Dir. Justin Edgar
(UK, 2011, 18 min, Narrative)
A comedy following a disastrous disability conference.
Saturday, March 16, 2:00 pm @ Kean University 

SIX POINTS ABOUT EMMA
Dir. Roberto Perez Toledo
(Spain, 2012, 90 min, Narrative)
Emma, a magnetic, attractive, blind woman is determined to have a baby. In her search for a man, she woos Germán, her psychologist from group-therapy, and her young neighbor, Diego. Emma finds herself falling into the trap of her own devising and discovers that blindness comes in many forms.
Friday, March 15, 7:00 pm @ Kean University

SCARLET ROAD
Dir. Catherine Scott
(Australia, 2011, 70 min, Documentary)
Australian sex worker, Rachel Wotton is impassioned about freedom of sexual expression and the rights of sex workers and specializes in a long overlooked clientele—people with disabilities.
Saturday, March 16, 7:00 pm @ Kean University

SILENT GAMES
Yael Klopmann (Documentary, 74 min, 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.
Sunday, March 17, 7:00 pm @ JCC Metrowest 

SON OF THE STARS
Dir. Michelle Chen Miao
(China, 2012, 90 min, Narrative)
In search of her husband, a young mother of a child with autism journeys to the land of tens of thousands of factories. She finds herself alone in the enormous city with nothing but her wits and inner strength to guide herself and her little boy.
Wednesday, March 13, 7:00 pm @ Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
Saturday, March 16, 4:00 pm @ Kean University 

WAMPLER’S ASCENT
Dir. Jacques Spitzer
(USA, 2012, 77 min, Documentary)
Steve Wampler, who has cerebral palsy, must do 20,000 pull-ups to climb the famous El Capitan Mountain in Yosemite. In 2002, Steve founded a camp for kids with disabilities, and his climb will be a testament that these kids can do anything to which they set their minds.
Thursday, March 14, 7:00 pm @ Kean University
Friday, March 15, 6:00 pm @ Matheny Medial and Educational Center

Sunday, March 17, 6:30 pm @ Kaplen JCC on the Palisades

### 

Contacts:

ReelAbilities
Ravit Turjeman
National Coordinator
347.256.2546
[email protected]

Kessler Foundation
Lauren Scrivo
973-324-8384/973-768-6583-c
[email protected]

MEDIATE RELEASE