August 8, 2019

by: Emily Hastings

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland 2019

ReelAbilities Film Festival (RAFF): Cleveland is returning this fall for a second year, following a highly successful inaugural season in 2018. Unique to the 2019 season, events will take place in two cities: Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Film screenings will occur August through October, accompanied by local and national guest speakers who will share their first-hand experiences and knowledge with filmgoers.

The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest film festival in the U.S. dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Through a collaboration of local organizations, including community volunteers, RAFF: Cleveland will showcase films at venues throughout Northeast Ohio in 2019. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs will bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.

RAFF: Cleveland is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at each screening. All locations are wheelchair accessible, welcome service animals, and offer open captioning. Additional accommodations such as audio description or American Sign Language interpreters may be requested two weeks prior to any film event. Complimentary light refreshments will be served at many of the screenings.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

CLEVELAND’S FILM SCREENINGS + POST-FILM DISCUSSIONS

August 28, 2019 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

  • Film: Suicide: The Ripple Effect
  • Screening Location: Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma-Snow Branch, 2121 Snow Rd Parma, OH 44134
  • Topics: Suicide, Mental Health
  • After the Film: The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System will lead a community panel.

September 19, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

  • A program of short films: The Unconditional and Unstuck: An OCD Kids Movie
  • Screening Location: Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
  • Topics: Hope and Family
  • After the Film: The family featured in The Unconditional, who lives in Olmsted Falls, will share their experiences of raising two children with undiagnosed special needs.

September 27, 2019 from 12:00-2:00 p.m.

  • Film: Suicide: The Ripple Effect
  • Screening Location: Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106
  • Topics: Suicide, Mental Health
  • After the Film: The VA Suicide Prevention team will lead a discussion.

October 5, 2019 from 1:00-3:30 p.m.

  • A program of short films: CODA, Living Art, and Thrive
  • Screening Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa), 11400 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
  • Topics: Visual Art, Music, Dance, and Disability
  • After the Film: Meet artists featured in one of the short films.

October 17, 2019 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

  • Film: The R-Word
  • Screening Location: Youth Challenge, 800 Sharon Drive, Westlake, OH 44145
  • Topics: The Power of Words
  • After the Film: Meet with Good Life Ambassadors and learn how to interact with and include people with disabilities.

AKRON’S FILM SCREENINGS + POST-FILM DISCUSSIONS

September 12, 2019 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

  • A program of short films around the central theme, “Image and Self-Image”
  • Screening Location: Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street, Akron, OH 44326
  • After the Film: The night will include an art exhibit, reception, and national speaker.

September 14, 2019 from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

  • A program of short films for children and families around the central theme, “Design for Inclusion”
  • Screening Location: Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street, Akron, OH 44326
  • After the Film: Design-related activities will take place led by the volunteer engineers of the Inclusioneers.

September 14, 2019 from 1:30-4:00 p.m.

  • A program of sports-related short films around the central theme, “Breaking Barriers”
  • Screening Location: Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 South High Street, Akron, OH 44326
  • After the Film: Join athletes and coaches for a celebratory reception and discussion

For more information, visit reelabilities.org/cleveland or contact cle.reelabilities@gmail.com.


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