ReelAbilities Film Festival

Join us for The 17th Annual, the world’s largest showcase of accessible international cinema by and about people with disabilities, reframing existing disability narratives. The festival runs April 3-9 in venues throughout NY and online, and we are delighted to bring three of its films to the J. We’ll have a discussion after the films, a cash bar, and popcorn available for purchase from Prospector Theater, a nonprofit dedicated to providing competitive employment to people with disabilities.

After being diagnosed with cancer, Oscar realizes his overprotectiveness may be holding his son Billy back from gaining independence. Determined to secure Billy’s future, Oscar helps him build the skills needed for a job as a grocery store bagger. Their heartfelt journey highlights the challenges and triumphs of fostering self-reliance, revealing the deep love between father and son—and the courage it takes to let go. Recommended for ages 18+

We Are Athletes: Through the experiences of Farryl, a young skier, and Matt, a veteran, the film explores how The Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, NY, creates new possibilities for athletic expression, and showcases innovative approaches to athletic training and competition. Their stories highlight how technical creativity and community support make diverse participation in sports possible. CONTENT WARNING: mentions of suicide. Recommended for ages 18+

The 17%: Entrepreneur Collette Divitto, who has Down syndrome, transforms workplace culture through her successful cookie company. Addressing the 83% unemployment rate among disabled people, she builds an inclusive business model built on individual strengths rather than perceived deficits. The film follows Collette's unique approach to hiring and workplace culture, showcasing the ripple effects of her leadership throughout the business community.

The Shames JCC is wheelchair accessible and the film will be presented with open captions. Additional accessibility accommodations, such as audio description, sign language interpretation and CART are available upon request. Please contact [email protected] before March 24 for any accessibility requests or inquiries.

Host or Publisher The Ark