This year’s theme for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC) is buddy comedy. However, filmmaker Krista Villatoro, an alumna of the 2021 RespectAbility Entertainment and News Media Fellowship, takes a unique approach with this theme by making her buddy absent in the film. No Sabo is a short film about Villatoro’s adventures, or lack thereof, in Guatemala. The short film not only stars Villatoro, but is also directed, shot, and edited by her. [continue reading…]
In his most recent Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC) entry, Twin Perspectives, Nader Bahu does it all – from writer, director, and producer to editor and star. The film follows a conversation between twin brothers, both played by Bahu, having a conversation on their experience with their disability.
Bahu, who is a 2022 Warner Bros. Discovery Access Early Career Bootcamp Alumnus, has a muscle atrophy disability that causes weakness in his muscle resulting in his mouth being opened, voice impairment, and inability to walk. As such, the twins in the film also share the same disability. [continue reading…]
Roma Murphy has written a variety of content – from short-form comedic digital content to children’s animation – but when working on others’ projects, she was asked to write nondisabled characters. As a writer for Easterseals Disability Film Challenge’s One Night Stand, Murphy had the opportunity to go in a new direction.
“This is the first time I’ve written a disabled character and actually gotten to see them come to life onscreen,” said Murphy, who is a 2022 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Alumna. “Nothing could have prepared me for that level of emotion.” [continue reading…]
Disabled AF features a list of talented collaborators – including disabled actors and crew – who come together to bring a unique and beautiful story to life. The well-executed themes of overcoming family dynamics, understanding the character’s motivations, and the topic of disabilities are on full display in this entry for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC).
Founded by Nic Novicki, the EDFC is an annual five-day competition in which filmmakers must create original three-to-five minute films based on a different theme each year. This year’s theme is buddy comedy.
Several RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Alumni served in roles both behind and in front of the camera for Disabled AF, including: Director, Writer, and Actress Cashmere Jasmine (2021); Writer and Producer Ariel Baska (2022); Writer Ophira Calof (2022); and Producer Kiah Amara (2021). [continue reading…]
As she has done for several years, Rachel Handler (she/her) once again brings an intriguing selection that takes us beyond the surface for the 2024 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
Handler, a 2020 RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Alumna, wrote, starred in, and produced Best Friends FOREVER. This short film cheekily captures the experience of a disabled working actor and its challenges during the casting process… Or so you think. It opens with a very relatable scene, with Lacey (Handler) reading a casting call from the toilet. This scene serves a few purposes, including providing a sense of intimacy in an unconventional way. When Lacey’s friend pops in the bathroom with her, it really portrays their closeness as well. [continue reading…]
In the new short film Ableist Watching, two disabled friends, Abby (Emily Kranking) and Willow (Gabrielle Zwi), watch over an accessible parking spot and confront any non-disabled person who parks there. However, rather than being apologetic or remorseful when the suspects are caught, they give excuses or antagonize Abby and Willow.
In one scene, a religious lady (Tywanna Gardner), parks in the accessible spot with a “What would Jesus do sticker?” on her car. When Willow asks her, “What would Jesus do here?”, the religious lady does not appreciate the snarky comment, and mocks Abby’s disabled hand saying Jesus would probably heal it – falling into a trope that some religious individuals feel that disabled individuals need to be healed. Abby, who represents many disabled individuals who are not looking for healing but for true inclusion, lets out a primal scream before attacking and chasing her away. It is a truly funny and beautiful scene to see Abby stand up to a hypocrite. [continue reading…]
RespectAbility Entertainment Media Fellow Steven McCoy with Whoopi Goldberg
Speaking prior to the ReelAbilities Film Festival’s opening night ceremony, Whoopi Goldberg shared profound insights into her journey with dyslexia, emphasizing how she reframed her challenges as strengths rather than limitations.
“For me, it’s never been a source of shame,” Goldberg said in an interview with RespectAbility on the red carpet. “It was frustrating because they placed me in classes where I struggled due to the way my brain processes information. However, my memory for details and the ability to recall conversations from years ago are my gifts. I see them as my superpowers.”
Her perspective on self-acceptance and empowerment deeply resonated with me, especially as someone who has grappled with insecurities and self-expression. I expressed my personal gratitude to Goldberg for redefining conventional standards of beauty. Goldberg’s confidence in her own beauty left a lasting impact on me.
“UNSEEN” is a moving and insightful film that offers a window into the life of Pedro, a blind undocumented immigrant navigating the challenges and triumphs of daily life with grace and resilience. The powerful disability rights documentary opens with Pedro candidly documenting his day, providing a glimpse into the world of a blind person and the interactions he encounters while accompanied by his service animal.
One of the standout aspects of the film is Pedro’s openness and willingness to engage with the community, patiently answering questions about his blindness and sharing his experiences. However, as the inquiries become more probing and the humor more intrusive, a sense of vulnerability and discomfort begins to emerge, highlighting the social obstacles faced by many individuals with disabilities. [continue reading…]
Kevin Iannucci, a rising talent in Hollywood, is raising the bar and challenging old stereotypes with his passion for acting and dedication to inclusivity. The 29-year-old Raleigh native’s journey into the world of acting began at the young age of seven with his older sibling’s encouragement.
His hard work has paid off, and Iannucci stars in the recent film “Champions,” which tackles themes of redemption and acceptance. “Movies and TV shows are about life and people, and I think we all need to be included and accepted,” he asserted, advocating for diversity in storytelling. [continue reading…]
The documentary “All You Hear Is Noise” is a film of perseverance. Directed by Ned Castle and Matt Day, the film screened at the Santa Barbara Film Festival earlier this month after first premiering at Tribeca in 2023. “All You Hear Is Noise” follows the journey of three U.S triathletes – Trent Hampton, Melanie Holmes, and Chris Wines – training to compete in the Special Olympics World Games. Viewers gain a glimpse into their personal lives as they train to achieve a goal few achieve.
This documentary takes the audience on an emotional ride as Trent, Melanie, and Chris face daily misconceptions and prejudices hurled at them. They use these to inspire their will to succeed. The support from their families and coaches illustrates the importance of a support system, especially when facing others who say their goal is unattainable. Throughout the film, the trio travel to the United Arab Emirates in search of community and the hopes of reshaping the stereotypes of disabled athletes. [continue reading…]
