ReelAbilities Film Festival seeks to inspire and inform, as well as entertain

by JAY LUSTIG
New Jersey events in the ReelAbilities Film Festival take place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.

New Jersey events in the ReelAbilities Film Festival take place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5.

The ReelAbilities Film Festival describes itself as “the largest disability film festival in the country,” with screenings in 11 different states in the United States, as well as in Toronto. Its purpose is “to increase awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of and about people with different abilities.”

The New Jersey events will take place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 in Montclair and West Orange.

Here is the schedule, along with the film’s trailers. For information, visit montclair.reelabilities.org.

Oct. 30, 5 p.m.: “Shooting Beauty” and “On Beauty” with post-screening discussion with photographer Rick Guidotti (founder of Positive Exposure) and complimentary photo shoot with Jan Press. At Maurice Levin Theater at JCC MetroWest, West Orange.

Nov. 1, 8 p.m.: “The Finishers” and “Bumblebees” (short), plus post-screening discussion panel with Laura O’Reilly of Easter Seals New Jersey and Joan Vidra of the Bergen County chapter of Achilles International. At Montclair State University, University hall, Room 1070.

Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m.: “Margarita with a Straw” and post-screening discussion with actress Ali Stroker, whose credits include “Glee” and the Broadway revival of “Spring Awakening.” At Montclair State University, Leshowitz Recital Hall in John J. Cali School of Music.

Nov. 3, 7 p.m.: “2E: Twice Exceptional” and post-film discussion. At Maurice Levin Theater at JCC MetroWest, West Orange.

Nov. 3, 7:45 p.m.: “No Ordinary Hero: The Superdeafy Movie” plus “Silent No More,” a theatrical piece in which people, including comedian Kathy Buckley, share their experiences of growing up with a hearing loss. Also, a Q&A session with “Silent No More” cast members. At Montclair State University, University Hall, Room 1070.

Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.: “A Blind Hero: The Love of Otto Weidt” and post-film discussion with Elsa Zavoda, program director of Vision Loss Alliance of NJ. At Maurice Levin Theater at JCC MetroWest, West Orange.

All films and post-film discussions at Montclair State are free, but tickets must be reserved in advance. For JCC MetroWest tickets, visit boxofficetickets.com/jccmetrowest.

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