Celebrating a decade of stigma-smashing film, art, and commUNITY!

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities.

Each year, this dynamic festival, powered by the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, presents both domestic and international award-winning films paired with interactive programming that gives us a new perspective and highlights the vibrant personalities, realities, and extraordinary abilities of people. Through film, art, and discussion, ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia brings together the community to explore, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.

The 2023 ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia is pleased to offer our audience the opportunity to enjoy films in community at the Pozez JCC and in venues throughout the region, as well as the opportunity to engage virtually.

Schedule:

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

6:00pm: FESTIVAL PREVIEW EVENT - FILM: THE SPECIALS

Dir. Oliver Nakache, Èric Toledano
114 Min | French | France, Belgium | Narrative
Close friends Bruno and Malik have combined their nonprofits to train youth for underprivileged areas to be caregivers for autistic children and teens. However, the program lacks official certification and is under the watchful eye of the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs. Despite this looming threat and internal conflicts, the power of unity, compassion, and acceptance within the program may prove exceptional. Presented at Cannes Film Festival, 2019.

Location: Friendship Circle Northern VA at Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia - 3939 Prince William Drive, Fairfax

Thursday, February 2, 2023

7:00pm: OPENING NIGHT FILM: THE REASON I JUMP

Dir. Jerry Rothwell
82 min. | English | US, UK | 2020 | Documentary
The Reason I Jump is an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. Based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, the film blends Higashida's revelatory insights into autism, written when he was just 13, with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window for audiences into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe. The film distils elements from each character into a sensually rich tapestry that leads us to Naoki’s core message: not being able to speak does not mean there is nothing to say.

Opening Night Art Sale
Art Show 6pm
Twenty-six-year-old Amrit Khurana is an artist from Noida, India and one of the non-verbal adults highlighted in The Reason I Jump.  Her artwork speaks to her perspective of everyday people doing everyday activities. Her sense of composition and use of a distinct color palette touches the soul and transcends what we think we see into a world of sublime fantasy. Original signed, matted art will be for sale on opening night. Proceeds ensure Khurana's future, as well as providing support for others with disabilities. See the catalogue here.

Post Film Discussion
Q&A with Ben McGann and Emma Budway, two of the people featured in the film.

Location: Pozez JCC, in partnership with Our Stomping Ground, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax

Saturday, February 4, 2023

3:00pm: OUR TIME MACHINE

Dir. Yang Sun, S. Leo Chiang
81 Min | Chinese | China | 2019 | Documentary
Maleonn is one of China’s most influential conceptual artists. When his father, the former director of the Shanghai Chinese Opera Theater, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Maleonn pours everything into an ambitious new theater project, “Papa’s Time Machine.”

Location: Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston

Sunday, February 5, 2023

2:00pm: FILM: ONLY I CAN HEAR

Dir. Matsui Itaru
54 Min | English, American Sign Language (ASL) | Japan | 2021 | Documentary
In search of a place between two disparate worlds, three teenage Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs), come of age in the vibrant, loud Deaf community. Grappling with issues of prejudices, leading double lives and familial bonds, this documentary asks what it means to exist between different cultures and how you can define your sense of identity.

Location: Temple Rodef Shalom - 2100 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church

Thursday, February 9, 2023

7:30pm: NO BONE: SCARS OF SURVIVAL

90 Min | English | USA | 2020 | Documentary
Marc Schiller, regarded as a communications expert with a long career promoting street art, music, and film, suffers a stroke that leaves him with aphasia and some cognitive deficits. With the help of family, Marc chronicles his career in the NYC art scene, his path towards recovery and the love that surrounds him

Location: Edlavitch DCJCC - 1529 Sixteenth St., NW, Washington, DC

Sunday, February 12, 2023

10:00am: BUILDING CONNECTION: SHORT FILMS REFLECTING ON COMMUNICATION AND ISOLATION

SIGNS AND GESTURES
Dir. Andheri Jansen
12 Min | English, American Sign Language (ASL) | UK | 2021 | Narrative
Clara, a blind florist, has been chatting with Simon through a dating app. They arrange to meet in person. However, during their first date, an unexpected misunderstanding arises.

BORDERLINE COFFEE
Dir. Jeff Ayars
10 Min | English | USA | 2020 | Narrative
A young woman overtaken by anxiety battles through her inner thoughts when she sets out to accomplish what would seem to be a simple task: a cup of coffee.

LES CHAUSSURES DE LOUIS (LOUIS’ SHOES)
Dir. Théo Jamin, Kayu Leung, Marion Philippe, Jean-Géraud Blanc
5 Min | French | France | 2020 | Narrative
Louis, an 8-and-a-half year old autistic boy, introduces himself at his new school in this imaginative tale about difference and acceptance.

LIVING WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
Produced by Voice of America: Marsha James, Philip Alexiou
12 Min | English| USA | 2022 | Documentary
A heartwarming story about Adam Toobin whose severe cerebral palsy doesn't stand in the way of being a customer greeter and social media director at an ice cream shop.

Location: Congregation Olam Tikvah - 3800 Glenbrook Rd, Fairfax

Saturday, February 18, 2023

6:30pm: SHREK

Dir. Vicky Jenson & Andrew Adamson
90 Min | English | USA | 2001 | Comedy/Fantasy
Sensory-Friendly Screening: Lights up and sound down for SHREK
Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers) whose precious solitude is suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Determined to save their home, Shrek sets out to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) to be Farquaad's bride. Rescuing the Princess may be small compared to her deep, dark secret.

Location: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda

Sunday, February 26, 2023

4:00pm: AMAZING GRACE

Dir. Lynn Montgomery
55 Min | English | USA | 2020 | Documentary
Talented young musician Grace Fisher, proficient at 3 instruments, was on her way to the world famous Berklee College of Music. On her 17th birthday, she developed Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare polio-like disease. Determined to persevere, Grace sets out to find new ways to create art, driven by her philosophy: “My only limitation will be my imagination.” Featuring Justin Hurwitz, Academy Award winning composer of La La Land.

A CRITTER FABLE
Dir. Grace Fisher
8 Min | English | USA | 2021 | Narrative
A caterpillar who can’t become a butterfly discovers he can still add color to the world in his own special ways. Featuring music and artwork by Amazing Grace star Grace Fisher, with critters created by children with disabilities in Santa Barbara.

Location: Beth El Hebrew Congregation, in partnership with Agudas Achim Congregation, 3830 Seminary Rd, Alexandria

Sunday, March 5, 2023

3:00pm: CLOSING NIGHT - IMPERFECT

Dir. Brian Malone, Regan Linton
78 Min | English | USA | 2021 | Documentary
An award-winning theater group consisting of actors who live and perform with the uniqueness of disability sets out to claim their place in the spotlight with a production of the beloved Chicago. Following these actors’ lives inside and outside the theater, curtains are drawn open to overlooked talent and the power of the human condition in all its many forms.

Post Film Discussion
Director Regan Linton (she/her), actor, director, filmmaker, writer, educator, and disability advocate will join us to speak about her process. She lives with a T-4 complete spinal cord injury.

Location: The REACH, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Justice Forum, 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC

Date: Thursday, February 2, 2023 - Sunday, March 5, 2023

Locations:

Chabad Lubavitch - 3939 Prince William Dr, Fairfax, VA 22031
Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia - 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031
Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191
Temple Rodef Shalom - 2100 Westmoreland St, Falls Church, VA 22043
Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC - 1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Congregation Olam Tikvah - 3800 Glenbrook Rd, Fairfax, VA 22031
Imagination Stage - 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Beth El Hebrew Congregation - 3830 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304
The REACH, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566

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