Reelabilities Film Festival/Houston

REELABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL/HOUSTON February 19-23, 2017 ReelAbilities: Houston Film Festival is a FREE city-wide film and arts festival to promote inclusion and celebrate the lives, stories, and talents of people with disabilities making an impact that lasts far beyond the week of the festival.

ACCESSIBILITY AND TICKET INFORMATION All ReelAbilities Film Festival events are FREE of charge to the public. ASL Interpretation, CART, adaptive listening devices, and other accommodations are available upon request. All films are captioned and all venues are wheelchair accessible. Individuals needing accommodation to participate should contact Jordan Lewis at least 72 hours in advance at 832.786.0361 or [email protected]

All Films at Edwards are audio described To volunteer at ReelAbilities, register at www.ReelAbilitiesHouston.org

JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion 4131 South Braeswood Blvd. HOUSTON / TEXAS 77025 www.AlexanderInstituteforInclusion.org www.ReelAbilitiesHouston.org For media requests, please contact [email protected]

ADVANCED REGISTRATION is required to reserve your seat. Tickets are available online at www.ReelAbilitiesHouston.org or call 832.786.0361.

ReelAbilities Presents REELPEOPLE: UP ABILITIES An Extraordinary Evening With Extraordinary Speakers

The UP Experience/ UP2 designs custom events providing world-class speakers so that corporations and audiences can experience new ideas that are making a difference in our world. FREE! For the first time ever!

SIGNATURE EVENT Thursday, February 16, 2017 6:15 pm: Reception 7:00 pm: Program

Space is limited. Registration required at ReelAbilitiesHouston.org Rice University Shepherd School of Music

JANE McGONIGAL Topic: HOW GAMING CREATES AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD Jane McGonigal is a world-renowned game designer, and an expert on the engagement, economy and the application of game-design to the real world. Jane’s book, SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient, debuted at #7 on the New York Times Advice bestsellers list.

ELISE ROY Topic: WHEN WE DESIGN FOR DISABILITY, WE ALL BENEFIT Elise Roy is a deaf lawyer, artist, artisan, and human rights advocate. Deaf from the age of ten, Elise has been a design thinker from early on. When Elise was in law school, she began working on the International Disability Rights Treaty at the United Nations, the first such human rights treaty to be passed in the 21st century.

HENRY EVANS Topic: NAVIGATING THE WORLD WITH ADAPTIVE ROBOTS Henry Evans at age 40 became quadriplegic and mute after a stroke-like attack caused by a hidden birth defect. He is a frequent and enthusiastic collaborator with robotics teams such as Robots for Humanity who are developing tools to help the severely disabled navigate their lives and the world.

EMBRACE THE POWER OF FORWARD THINKING.

OPENING NIGHT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 6:30 pm: Doors open 7:00 - 9:15 pm: Program/Film

Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 & RPX Upper Floor Entrance, Elevator Level 4, Theater 12 Parking is free FEATURING THE HOUSTON PREMIERE OF ENTER THE FAUN (See film descriptions on page 7)

HOUSTON BALLET ACADEMY, Collaborating Partner Welcome by Houston Ballet Board Member, Kelli Cohen Fein, M.D.

Free Admission. Space is limited. Registration required. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION + TICKETS: REELABILITIESHOUSTON.ORG/TICKETS.PHP

REELART: FEATURING CELEBRATION COMPANY ARTISTS WITH VISITING ARTIST GRANT MANIER January 30 - March 31 Hours: Monday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Tuesday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

THE CENTER FOR ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY AT CELEBRATION COMPANY 4131 S. Braeswood Blvd. Please join us for a preview of the ReelArt exhibit and meet and greet Celebration Company artists and Grant Manier. Monday, January 30: 6:00 - 8:00 pm Registration for preview reception encouraged. ReelAbilitiesHouston.org/tickets.php

Celebration Company is an entrepreneurial program for adults living with disabilities. The program is composed of 20 artists who use art as an expressive outlet for both a leisure activity and a life skill. The new Center for Art and Photography at Celebration Company is a gallery and gift showroom that features their art, photography and products.

Grant Manier is a young and talented Eco-artist. While living with autism, he creates collages using recycled items for his works, according to his philosophy of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”. To learn more about Grant, visit his website: grantsecoart.com.

Inaugural Exhibition Underwritten by The Eleanor & Frank Freed Foundation

THE CENTER FOR ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Celebration Company artists professionally display and sell their paintings, handmade paper and photographs, taken with adaptive cameras. To commission or sponsor a photo-shoot, contact Samara Rosen at [email protected]. To view or purchase Celebration Company photographs online: celebrationcompany.zenfolio.com

REELCHILDREN: FILM SCREENINGS THROUGHOUT WEEK AT CMH February 19-23: Film attendees at select screenings of Macropolis and Little Hero will receive the gift of “Snuggles” - a children’s book by Andrea White and Mimi Vance, courtesy of the Mostyn Moreno Foundation.For more information see www.cmhouston.org.

February 20: Sensory Friendly Day is exclusive day at the museum for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sensory processing differences. See www.cmhouston.org/sensory-friendly for more information. The movie Bumblebees will show several times during the day at the CMH theater. 10:00 – 3:00 pm $5 (Free for members)

REELMUSIC: AN ALL-INCLUSIVE JAZZ & BLUES JAM SESSION WITH THE PROS Professional jazz & blues musicians invite musicians with disabilities to jam with the band. Everyone is welcome. Registration is required to jam with the band. With Clayton Farris as Emcee Register at ReelAbilitiesHouston.org/tickets.php Thursday, February 23, 2017 Doors Open at 5:00 pm Music 6:00 - 8:00 pm Cash Bar and Lite Bites THE SECRET GROUP 2101 Polk St. Free parking on street and nearby lots. Accessible parking in Secret Group parking lot across from 8th Wonder Brewery on Hutchins St. FREE Admission. Space is limited. Registration required.

REELTRAVELERS: SHORT FILM SCREENINGS AROUND TOWN ReelAbilities Houston will show film shorts in the Houston Airport System as a part of Houston Airport System’s Public Art Program so thousands of people passing through the airport can experience the festival.

January 23 - February 20, 2017 HOBBY AIRPORT Screenings are featured at base of escalators as you enter baggage claim area 1

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Admission: FREE! Space is limited. Advance Registration Required. All films at Edwards are audio described. See back of brochure for accessibility and accommodation information.

January 30, Monday ReelArt: The Art of Celebration with Visiting Artist Grant Manier 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Exhibition preview, meet and greet the artists 4131 S. Braeswood Blvd.

February 14, Tuesday A Short Preview of the Festival: Film Shorts 6:15 – 7:15 pm Houston Ballet Center for Dance 601 Preston Street parking free after 6:00 pm

February 16, Thursday Festival Kickoff UP Abilities: An Evening of Extraordinary Speakers (see page 2) 6:15 pm: Reception 7:00 – 9:00 pm: Program Rice University Shepherd School of Music 6100 Main Street

February 19, Sunday Opening Night Enter The Faun (see page 3) 6:30 pm: Doors open 7:00 – 9:15 pm: Film Edwards Greenway

February 20, Monday Matinee: Family Friendly Shorts Hear This! / Strings (Cuerdas) / Little Hero / Chimes for Tyler Remarks by Mary Hanks, Audio Describer 1:00 – 2:00 pm Evening Feature: Mental Health Focus 7:00 – 9:15 pm: Bumblebees/Patrick’s Day Edwards Greenway

February 21, Tuesday Matinee: Margarita, with a Straw 4:00 – 5:45 pm Evening Feature: Putting Laughter in Focus/ A Taste of Laughter Yoga with Lainie Diamond 7:00 – 9:00 pm: Stilts and Spokes Edwards Greenway

February 22, Wednesday Matinee: Gabe 4:00 - 5:30 pm Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Houston Evening Feature: Do You Dream in Color? 7:00 – 9:00 pm Sponsored by Novum Energy Edwards Greenway

February 23, Thursday Matinee: The Case of the Three Sided Dream 4:00 – 5:45 pm Closing Event: ReelMusic (see page 5) 5:00 pm: Doors Open (Cash Bar/Lite Bites) 6:00 – 8:00 pm: Music The Secret Group, 2101 Polk St.

SPECIAL EVENTS

January 23 – February 20 ReelTravelers: Film Shorts (see page 5) Houston Hobby, Baggage Claim I

January 30 – March 31 The Center for Art and Photography at the Celebration Company ReelArt: The Art of Celebration (see page 4) 4131 S. Braeswood Blvd. Monday 10 am – 8 pm and Tuesday – Friday 10 am - 4 pm ReelChildren: Children’s Museum of Houston 1500 Binz February 20 – 23 Monday – Thursday

February 20, Monday Sensory Friendly Day (see page 4) At Children’s Museum of Houston Screenings February 19 – 23 at CMH 1500 Binz

Ongoing: JFS Alexander for Inclusion Initiatives ReelWorkPlace and ReelEducation (see page 11)

Thanks to generous sponsorships, all events of ReelAbilities are free. Parking at Edwards Greenway is free. Space at events is limited. Registration is required. Films at Edwards Greenway are audio described. See back of brochure for accessibility information. Everyone is invited to become a Friend of the Festival. Registration and donations: www.ReelAbilitiesHouston.org

FILMS All films shown at Edwards Greenway will be audio described

BUMBLEBEES DIRECTOR: JENNA KANELL | NARRATIVE | 4 MIN | USA | ENGLISH Description: Despite being told as a child he would never walk or speak, Vance accomplished the impossible. But now he has a new challenge: dating.

THE CASE OF THE THREE SIDED DREAM DIRECTOR: ADAM KAHAN | DOCUMENTARY | 88 MIN | USA | ENGLISH | 2014 Description: Multi-instrumentalist jazz legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk was known for playing multiple instruments at once and for his comical and political interjections on stage, creating music about his experience becoming blind as an infant. A child prodigy, adult visionary, and political activist, Kirk played even after becoming paralyzed, and up until the day he died. CHIMES FOR TYLER DIRECTOR: STEPHEN PANAGGIO | DOCUMENTARY | 8 MIN | USA | ENGLISH Description: A boy with autism can distinguish wind chimes by sound.

DO YOU DREAM IN COLOR? DIRECTOR: ABIGAIL FULLER & SARAH IVY | DOCUMENTARY | 76 MIN | USA | ENGLISH Description: The poignant coming-of-age story of Connor, Nick, Sarah, and Carina, who navigate the growing pains of high school, but, unlike most teens, face another challenge —they are blind. Do You Dream in Color? captures their journeys as they strive to achieve their goals: to be a sponsored skateboarder, to travel the world, to become a rock star, and to be the first in one’s family to graduate high school. Through their personal stories we learn of the experience of being blind and how these fearless teenagers navigate through it.

HEAR THIS! SOULAIMA EL KHALDI | NETHERLANDS | 15 MIN | DOCUMENTARY | ENGLISH SUBTITLES Description: 10-year-old Tristan looks up to his dad, his soccer hero. But Tristan’s soccer club won’t let his dad become the trainer of his team because he is deaf. Tristan decides to prove them wrong.

ENTER THE FAUN DIRECTOR: TAMAR ROGOFF AND DAISY WRIGHT | DOCUMENTARY | 67 MIN | USA | ENGLISH Description: The unlikely collaboration between a veteran choreographer and a young actor with cerebral palsy delivers astonishing proof that each and every body is capable of miraculous transformation. As Tamar Rogoff trains Gregg Mozgala to dance in her performance, they discover that her lack of formal medical training and his fears and physical limitations are the impetus for her choreography and their unprecedented discoveries. Enter The Faun is the story of a joyous, obsessed journey toward opening night. It challenges the boundaries of medicine and art, as well as the limitations associated with disability.

GABE DIRECTOR: LUKE TERRELL, DOCUMENTARY | 72 MIN | USA | ENGLISH Description: Gabe Weil is a 27-year-old who was born with the most severe form of muscular dystrophy. For his entire life, Gabe had been told he would be lucky to live past 25. But recently, he learned he was misdiagnosed, and might live well into his 50s. Although this news was overwhelmingly positive, it presented a surprising obstacle: Gabe did not have any long-term goals. He was forced to rethink his life from scratch. This radical shift in consciousness propelled him to set new goals, continue facing reality, and manifest more dreams. LITTLE HERO DIRECTOR: MARCUS A. MCDOUGALD & JENNIFER MEDVIN | DOCUMENTARY | 10 MIN | USA ENGLISH Description: A 6-year-old boy with autism is seen through his twin sister’s eyes.

MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW DIRECTOR: SHONALI BOSE & NILESH MANIYAR | NARRATIVE | 97 MIN | INDIA | ENGLISH AND HINDI | ADULT CONTENT | ENGLISH SUBTITLES Description: A funky, stereotype-busting coming-of-age tale based on the true story of a Punjabi teenage girl with cerebral palsy. Laila, an aspiring writer and secret rebel in a wheelchair, is accepted to New York University and leaves India for Manhattan. After a chance encounter with a fiery female activist, Laila starts to grow emotionally and explore this new world and its liberal sexualities. Tackling subject matter rarely explored with lightheartedness, this TIFF award-winning drama is a beautiful, bold, and brave portrait of love, identity, and sexuality. Margarita, with a Straw is joyous cinema bound to win your heart.

PATRICK’S DAY DIRECTOR: TERRY MCMAHON, NARRATIVE | 98 MIN | IRELAND | ENGLISH ADULT CONTENT Description: Patrick is a warm young man living with schizophrenia. Medication and his mother’s fierce protection means he is no threat to himself or anyone else—until St. Patrick’s Day, when he meets Karen, a suicidal flight attendant. This audacious love story provocatively explores issues ranging from the right to intimacy to the question of when parental love becomes a destructive force.

STILTS AND SPOKES DIRECTOR: JACK WINCH | DOCUMENTARY | 91 MIN | USA | ENGLISH Description: A heartfelt, entertaining, and comedic documentary. After Jay Cramer falls off a boulder and breaks his neck, he rebounds from injury—which has left him quadriplegic—to win the Los Angeles Funniest Comic competition. While in rehab, he meets a world-class double above-the-knee amputee sprinter, Katy Sullivan, and falls head over heels for her. They fall in love and go on to inspire millions.

STRINGS DIRECTOR: PEDRO SOLIS GARCIA | ANIMATED/NARRATIVE | 11 MIN | SPAIN | SPANISH ENGLISH SUBTITLES Description: María’s routine at school is altered by the arrival of a child who soon becomes her best friend. This bittersweet animated movie captures two hearts connecting simply through some strings.

ReelWorkPlace ReelWorkplace seminars, featuring films, speakers, and etiquette workshops about various topics of inclusion, are provided to local companies to benefit their hiring managers, employees, and clients.

ReelEducation In addition to our city-wide public events, the festival also brings free programming during the school day to Houston area schools so that the message of inclusion is communicated to thousands of our city’s youth—through film, speakers and discussions. Film choices are offered to schools for their selection.

¡HENRY O! Featuring Enrique “Henry” Oliu from ¡Henry O! A true story about Enrique Oliu, a man blind since birth, who happens to be the baseball analyst for a Spanish-speaking radio program during the Tampa Bay Rays games. ¡Henry O! shows the journey of a man overcoming obstacles and achieving his dreams amidst the cheering crowds and major league heroes. Returning for a fifth year, Enrique and wife, Deb, have become festival favorites for schools.

THE PERFECT TURNOVER A true story about a high school senior with developmental disability, who gets a once in a lifetime chance when his basketball coach puts him in the game. This film shows high school basketball team rivals finding common ground in the kind treatment of an individual with a disability.

To schedule a screening of films for schools or businesses, please visit www.ReelAbilitiesHouston.org

LEADERSHIP Vikki Evans, Chair

HONORARY COMMITTEE Joan and Stanford Alexander, Founders, Alexander Institute for Inclusion Jonathan Baliff, Honorary Chair, CEO, Bristow Group, ReelAbilities Co-Chair 2015, Honorary Chair 2016 Joanne Graff, Chair, ReelAbilities 2016 Anna M. Babin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Houston Council Member Ellen Cohen, District C, Houston City Council Lex Frieden, Director, TIRR Memorial Hermann Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Carl Josehart, CEO, TIRR Memorial Hermann Mayor Sylvester Turner, Mayor, City of Houston Steven B Schnee, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Lee Wunsch, President and CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston

ADVISORY COMMITTEE Joan Alexander, Founder, JFS Disability Services Alexander Institute for inclusion Connie Almeida, Ph.D., LSSP, Director of Behavioral Health Services Fort Bend County, Texas Barbara Boyett, CEO, Avondale House Linda Burger, CEO, JFS and President, Network of Behavioral Health Providers Ana Calvo, Rehabilitation Counselor, DARS Marc Cohen, The Monarch School and Institute Britney Cooks, Speech & Language Pathologist MRMRA Todd Curry, Municipal Affairs Executive, Houston Airport Systems Roberta Diddel, Ph.D., Executive Director, Disability 101 Jess Faerman, ReelAbilities, JFS Kelli Cohen Fein, M.D., Physician, Chair, JFS Disability Services Advisory Council Marla Matz Feldman, DDS, Chair, ReelAbilities 2014, JFS Susan Fernbach, Director of Genetic Outreach, Baylor College of Medicine Susan Fordice, President & CEO, Mental Health America of Greater Houston Chuck French, Administration Manager, Houston Parks & Recreation Dept: Adaptive Sports & Recreation Natalie Hausman-Weiss, The Woods Project Elise Hough, CEO, Easter Seals Cindy Ivanhoe, M.D., Chief Medical, Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation Eddie Jessie, Community Resource Specialist, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Carl Josehart, CEO, TIRR Memorial Hermann Joy Kaplan, Chair, JFS Disability Services Task Force Morton Katz, Ph.D., Psychologist, JFS Disability Services Advisory Council Kelly Klein, Easter Seals of Greater Houston Rachel Kosoy, Coordinator, JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion Grant Manier, Grant’s Eco Art Julie Manier, Grant’s Eco Art Eric Mayer, Co-chair, ReelAbilities 2013 Isabelle Mayer, Co-chair, ReelAbilities 2013 Michael McCulloch, Founder, iBug Susan Farb Morris, Susan Farb Public Relations The Honorable Annise Parker Julia Perri, Community Member, The Monarch Institute Amy Rahmani, Arts and Culture Program Coordinator, Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Sheryl Rapp, Founder, The UP Experience Trish Rigdon, Executive Director, Houston Cinema Arts Society Sara Speer Selber, Community Member, Project Management Team Bryant Shaw, Disabilities Advocate, The Monarch Institute Kara Smith, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, JFS Joshua Starnes, Houston Film Critics Society Karen Strupp, Ph.D., Psychologist, Community Member Landon Taylor, Assistant Director, Department of Neighborhoods Robert Woods, MEd., CEO & Executive Director, The Center for Success and Independence

FILM SELECTION COMMITTEE Linda Burger, President, Network of Behavioral Health Providers Julie Coy-Manier, Grant’s Eco Art Rachel Davis, Chief Development Officer, JFS Matthew Dickens, Deafness Resource Specialist 6B, Communication Axess Ability Group Deborah Downing, Ph.D., Community Member, Special Education Administration Magui Dunn, TIRR Memorial Hermann Vikki Evans, Realtor, Martha Turner Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Jess Faerman, ReelAbilities, JFS Marla Feldman, Co-chair, ReelAbilities 2014, JFS Cody Francisco, Deafness Resource Specialist, Communication Axess Ability Group Joanne Graf, Chair, ReelAbilities 2016, JFS Joy Kaplan, Chair, JFS Disability Services Task Force, JFS Gary Lynn, The Gary J. Lynn Foundation Grant Manier, EcoArtist Barbara Marcus, Owner, Marcus Personnel Renee Margolin, Volunteer, JFS Isabelle Mayer, JFS Chez Mcleggan, photographer/filmmaker Seth Mincberg, Volunteer, JFS Lynae Novominsky, Volunteer, JFS Julia Perri, Community Member, The Monarch Institute Angel Ponce, Customer Service Manager, MOPD Courtney Sandifer, Communications Specialist Filmmaker, Harmony Public Schools Ana Shah, Community Member, Epilepsy Foundation Bryant Shaw, Disabilities Advocate, The Monarch Institute Kara Smith, LCSW, Clinical Social Worker, JFS Teri Wathen, Hearing Loss Resource Specialist

FESTIVAL PRODUCTION Marie Bryant, The Captioning Company Max Castillo, ReelEducation Coordinator, JFS Rachel Davis, Chief Development Officer, JFS Jess Faerman, ReelAbilities, JFS Mary Hanks, Audio Describer Lynae Novominsky, JFS Volunteer Coordinator

SULLIVAN GROUP, TEAM Clare Sullivan Jackson, CEO and Founder Alyssa Aboloff, Lead Producer Hilary Baars, Producer Jordan Lewis, Producer

SPECIAL PROJECTS Adrianne Burger, Community Volunteer Geri Druckman, Web Development Specialist - Accessibility/Usability Clayton Farris, Emcee/Organizer, ReelMusic Bobby Joseph, Director, Bristow Uplift Audrey Lhemann, Novum Energy Grant Manier, EcoArtist Pam Reingold, Gallery Manager, Celebration Company Samara Rosen, Curator, The Art of Celebration Steven Rosenbloom, Volunteer Jamie Weiner, Director, Celebration Company Andrew Youngblood, Owner/Talent Buyer, The Secret Group

REELEDUCATION & SPEAKERS OUTREACH Adrianne Berger Chuck French, Administration Manager, Adaptive Sports, Houston Parks & Recreation Tony Livesay, Retired Fire Fighter, HFD Enrique Oliu, Film Star, ¡Henry O! Meena Dhanjal Outlaw, Author Angel Ponce, Senior Customer Service Manager, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Ava Skrabanek, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, TIRR Memorial Hermann

VENUE LIAISONS Mandy Billings, Production Manager, The Shepherd School of Music, Rice University Hossein Farshchi, GM, Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium 24 & RPX Zulma Morales, Alexander Specialist for Early Literacy Development and Special Learning Needs, The Children’s Museum of Houston The Secret Group, Andrew Youngblood, Owner/Talent Buyer Alex Stutler, Classroom and Scheduling Coordinator, The Shepherd School of Music Rice University

MEDIA ASSISTANCE Mary Adler, VP Marketing, Integrate Agency Allie Danziger, Founder, Integrate Agency Jessie Dickerson, Account Supervisor, Integrate Agency Jillian Goltzman, Social Media Account Executive, Integrate Agency Caitlyn Kaczmarek, Graphic Designer, Integrate Agency Gloria Ribnick, PR Director, JFS Vicki Samuels, President & CEO, Jewish Herald Voice Donna Jones-Sudol and Cindy Goodman, gII Ad Group Susan Thomas, MPH, Marketing & Communications, TIRR Memorial Hermann Glenn Willey, Manager of Communications/Media, TIRR Memorial Hermann

REELWORKPLACE Laura Alter, Liaison, JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion Roberta Diddel, Ph.D., Executive Director, Disability 101

KEY SUPPORT Justin Deutsch, ReelEducation Consultant Marilyn Nathan, Development Consultant, ReelAbilities Tonya Slone, Executive Coordinator, TIRR Memorial Hermann Angel Ponce, Senior Customer Service Manager, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Dept. of Neighborhoods