Arts

ReelAbilities Pittsburgh Film Festival runs Sept. 7-13

Film Pittsburgh presents the 11th annual ReelAbilities Pittsburgh film festival September 7–13 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and online, showcasing films that explore and celebrate the lives and stories of people living with disabilities.

This year’s lineup includes five feature films and 14 short films screening in-person and virtually.

“This festival has such a positive impact on our community because it enables our friends and neighbors living with disabilities to see themselves represented on screen,” says Film Pittsburgh’s Executive Director Kathryn Spitz Cohan. “It also exposes everyone to more realistic experiences of those living with disabilities.”

(l-r) “Abled: The Blake Leeper Story”; “OKAY! (The ASD Band Film)”

The Sept. 9 Pittsburgh premiere of Abled: The Blake Leeper Story will be preceded by a presentation of the Richard Meritzer Award and followed by a live Zoom Q&A with Blake Leeper, a world record-holding American Paralympic athlete.

The festival includes a free art exhibit featuring works by artists from Studio Forget-Me-Not! with artists in attendance and art available for purchase.

All films are presented with open captions or subtitles, audio description and ASL interpretation. Other accommodations are available free of charge by calling Film Pittsburgh at (412) 426-FILM.

(l-r) “My Disability Roadmap”; “This Is Major”

The ReelAbilities Film Festival is a national program presented locally by Film Pittsburgh since 2013. Through impactful films and engaging programs, the festival brings people together to explore and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.

For more information, visit www.FilmPittsburgh.org.

(l-r) “Rosemary A.D. (After Dad)”; “Mike’s Words”

L.E. McCullough

L.E. McCullough is a Pittsburgh musician/writer/journalist who writes about Arts every chance he gets. Got some Arts to talk about? Contact him at www.lemccullough.wordpress.com