Disability Film Festival
Realabilities: The First Annual NY Disability Film Festival
The festival debuts this fall simultaneously in multiple locations throughout the New York metropolitan area. Taking place at the Riverdale Y September 21 - 23, Realabilites will showcase feature and documentary films depicting issues affecting people with disabilites.
Premiering the week before National Disability Awareness Month, Realabilities aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. The festival will present award winning films in various locations throughout the NY metropolitan area. Discussions and other engaging programs will bring together the community to explore, discuss and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.
Supported by UJA-Federation of NY and the Butler Foundation, the Riverdale Y will showcase three programs:
Silent Games
Sunday, September 21, 2:00 pm
Yael Klopmann /Documentary / 74 min /
Israel / 2008 /
http://www.filminginisrael.com/SilentGames.html
The captivating story of an Israeli national deaf soccer team set out to become the top eight contenders in the 2007 World Championship in Bulgaria.
Note: This film is in Hebrew with English subtitles.
The content is suitable for all audiences.
This documentary will be followed by a panel discussion with Special Olympics athletes.
Snowcake
Sunday, September 21, 7:00 pm
Marc Evans / Drama / 112 min / UK / 2007 / http://www.snowcakemovie.co.uk
Alex Hughes, an ex-convict, is on a road trip to Winnipeg to see an old friend. Along the way, he meets the annoying, but vivacious, Vivienne Freeman who manages to bum a ride with him. Just as he begins to warm to this eccentric girl, Alex’s vehicle is in a serious automobile accident that kills Vivienne. After his meeting with the police, Alex decides to speak with Vivienne’s mother. Upon arrival at her home, Alex discovers that the mother, Linda, is a highly functional autistic woman. Linda convinces Alex to stay in her home for several days to resume Vivienne’s old job of taking out the garbage and to plan the funeral. In those few days, Alex discovers new friends and learns more about the uniqueness of Linda even as he struggles to come to terms with his own grief.
Festivals & Awards:
Berlin International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
Tribeca International Film Festival
Note: Although this film is unrated by IFC, it may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.
This feature film will be followed by a discussion on autism led by Jesse Mojica, President of the Bronx Chapter of the Autism Society of America, Founding NYC Walk Chair for Autism Speaks, and father of a child with autism who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Autism Every Day, a film sponsored by Autism Speaks
BenX
Tuesday, September 23, 7:00 pm
Nick Balthazar / Drama / 93 min / Belgium / 2007 / www.benx.be
Ben is different. His life is a universe to itself, where he plays his favorite online computer game Archlord avidly, trying hard to train himself for the real world he lives in. The harsh world of a technical school is for him a daily kind of hell. As the horror of being a daily subject to bullying grows, Ben devises a plan. Then Scarlite comes into his life, the girl he has met in his on-line game. That wasn t part of the plan...
Festivals & Awards:
Montréal World Film Festival, Grand Prix des Amériques, Most Popular
Film, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
Palm Springs International Film Festival, Heineken Red Star Award
Sedona International Film Festival, Audience Award, Director’s Choice Award
Note: This fast-paced film contains scenes which move between live action and video game animation. Due to the content og the film it is recommended for adults only.
This drama will be followed by a discussion about signs of adolescent suicide led by Ellie Argilla, LMSW, from the Riverdale Mental Health Association
 For ticket sales click here...
 For Realabilities films showing at Hostos College, turn to page 5 after you click here...
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