Industry Summit

ReelAbilities Industry Summit: Disability inclusion and equity in film + performing arts. April 7-8, 2025 in person + online

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Join industry professionals as we discuss topics of accessibility, inclusion and representation in all aspects of the film and performing arts industries, and explore beyond the basics into progressive best practices.

Industry leaders, including Disabled creatives, will share knowledge and experience providing participants with the tools to elevate accessibility and open pathways to deeper inclusion.  The Industry Summit is presented as a part of the 17th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York, in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

The summit is for  Film and television industry professionals, including event presenters, exhibitors, and distributors. Performing arts industry professionals, including venues management & FOH, artistic directors, and agents. Experienced and emerging filmmakers and performers. Disability and arts organizations

 

The ReelAbilities Industry Summit can be attended in-person and online.

SUMMIT IN-PERSON VENUE:
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave & 76th St.

Click here to view information and rates of our hotel partners.

 

Button- April 7      Button - April 8

 

Summit Day 1 - April 7

THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

 

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM | Welcome Remarks
By Carla Hoke-Miller, Executive Director, Theatre and Live Performance Partnerships, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM | Mad Different: Accessibility, Artistry, and Impact
Award-winning artist Lachi shares select music videos from her acclaimed Mad Different series, filmed at Amazon Music Studios. She is joined by co-director Caroline Mariko Stucky, ASL artist Indi Robinson, and cellist Mercedes Lysaker for a dynamic discussion on integrating sign language, audio description, and a majority-disabled cast and crew into creating the finished product. Together, they’ll explore how accessibility and innovation can go hand in hand to create music videos that are not only inclusive but also artistically compelling and industry-competitive. Moderated by: Natalis Rubero.

2:10 PM – 2:50 PM | Disability Film & Arts Funding in 2025
A candid conversation with the people funding disability, film, and arts-centered projects. Leading funders and representatives from the philanthropic sector will reveal how they decide which projects to support, what they seek in impact-driven storytelling, and how their priorities around disability representation are evolving. Whether you’re applying for your first grant or your fifteenth, gain insights into how funding decisions are made in 2025 and where investors are eager to contribute. With Sarah Napoli, Disability & Philanthropy Forum and Bryce Norbitz, Tribeca Studios. Moderated by: Gonzalo Casals, Culture & Arts Policy Institute.

3:00 PM – 3:40 PM | Setting The Stage for Disability Access
Explore bold new works, innovative casting, and authentic storytelling serving as catalysts for more inclusive stage productions. Join artists and leading theaters as they discuss groundbreaking performances reshaping the theatrical landscape. With Bryan Velazquez,  Omnium Circus; Christine Bruno, actor and disability equity consultant; Kim Weild, The Apothetae; Emma Minkoff, marketing department, The Public Theater; Ryan Haddad, actor and playwright. Moderated by: Alexa Smith.

3:50 PM – 4:20 PM | Integrating Accessibility into Performance
Join choreographers, dancers, and access innovators to explore how accessibility can be seamlessly woven into movement and other performance spaces, from integrated audio description and creative captioning to choreography that embraces diverse bodies and mobility aids, reimagining dance as an inclusive art form that welcomes all audiences and performers. With Amy Buchwald, Christopher Unpezverde Núñez and Alice Sheppard. Moderated by: Jerron Herman.

4:20 PM – 4:50 PM | Next Steps for Production Accessibility Coordinators
Learn how PACs are reshaping the industry by advocating for disabled talent, implementing best practices for improved accessibility, and making movie sets and storytelling more inclusive for all. As more productions recognize the importance of accessibility, the role of PACs is becoming integral to the filmmaking process.We’ll also explore the growing need to establish industry-wide standards to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and lasting change in how accessibility is baked into film production. With: Amanda Baker-Lane, Head of Customer Inclusion- Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video, Allison Robertson, talent, The Accountant 2, and Elaine Hall, Accessibility Consultant. Moderated by: Lauren Appelbaum, SVP Entertainment and Media, Disability Belongs.

4:50 PM – 5:00 PM | Day 1 Showcase – Ruth Moe, Seats on the Spectrum.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Networking Reception

6:00 PM – FILM SCREENING: REELSHORTS: DARK AND FUNNY 
Included in your summit pass.

Summit Day 2 - April 8

THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM | Welcome Remarks – Pat Swinney Kaufman, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM | Filmmakers Talk: The State of Disability Filmmaking
Where does disability filmmaking stand today? Filmmakers and industry insiders will discuss the current landscape and compare national and international perspectives and initiatives.  With filmmakers Sheridan O’Donnell, Ashley Eakin, and Àlex Lora Cercós, together with Fábián Gábor elnök, Hungary’s International Special Film Festival;  Clare Baines, inclusion partner, British Film Institute. Moderated by: Abbey White and Lawrence Carter-Long.

2:10 PM – 3:10 PM | Crip Script Pitch Competition
Hear fiction and non-fiction Film and TV pitches as they compete for the hearts of a panel of industry leaders and a chance to win Industry mentorship from AMC Networks and ITVS, filmmaking equipment from Blackmagic Design and Shine Global Script award in the amount of $2,500.

  • Non-fiction
    Pitching Projects:  Raving For Access (Connor Roach, Ryan Roach), How Much Am I Worth (Rachel Handler)
    Judges: Sheila Nevins (Film & TV Producer), Michael Ehrenzweig (Supervising Producer, ITVS), Cassidy Dimon (Executive Director, FWD-Doc)
  • TV
    Pitching Projects: Jane Vs Pain (Cheryl Meyer), After School (Mary Theresa Archbold)
    Judges: Nikki Love (SVP, Development & Production at ALLBLK, AMC SVOD Network), Miriam Mintz (TV Producer, Likely Story), Shannon DeVido (Actor)
  • Fiction
    Pitching Projects: Adaptation (D’Arcee Charington Neal, Lauren Malone    ), Remedial (Laurie J. Gardiner)
    Judges: Mike Sipala (VP, Commercial Sales & Partnerships, AMC Networks), Erich Smith (TCA Talent Rep), Lauren Ridloff (Actor)

 

3:20 PM – 4:00 PM | ReelAbilities Rough Cuts Pitch– The Loreen Arbus Completion Award
A selection of works-in-progress pitching in front of a panel of Industry leaders, competing for a $10,000 cash prize presented by Loreen Arbus Productions, sound mixing shifts at Gigantic Studios, audio description by Woman of Her Word, captions by ReelAbilities, and other exciting career-advancing opportunities.

Pitching Projects: Rare (Ashley Eakin, Shawn Lovering), Muses (Stacey Menchel Kussell), Grateful Deaf (George R Martens II).

Judges: Nikki Love (SVP, Development & Production at ALLBLK, AMC SVOD Network), Liz Caris (Loreen Arbus Productions), Steve Way (Actor & Producer).

4:10 PM – 4:40 PM | The Future of At-Home Accessibility: Breaking Barriers in Digital MediaAs streaming and digital media platforms continue to evolve, so do the opportunities to make content more accessible. This dynamic panel brings together industry leaders from Amazon Studios, Vimeo, and other trailblazers to discuss the latest innovations in home media useability. From advancements in captions and audio descriptions to AI-driven accessibility tools, discover how technological advances are helping create a more inclusive entertainment experience for audiences everywhere. With:  Jeremy Strauser, VP Head of Product, Audible; Sam Lyon, Technical Project Manager, Vimeo; Isaac Zablocki, CEO, ReelAbilities; Lakshmi Ziskin, Sr. Product Manager, PV Accessibility Tech, Prime Video. Moderated by: Matt Kaplowitz, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Bridge Multimedia. 

4:40 PM – 5:00 PM | Distribution Case Study
Good Bad Things. Presented by: Steve Way, Executive Producer.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Networking Reception + Announcement of the Pitch Competitions Awards. Co-hosted by FWD-Doc.

PASSES

Thanks to the generous support of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment, we’re able to offer Industry Summit admission at an affordable rate.Additionally, a limited number of FREE summit passes are available for those facing financial barriers. Click here to request free entry!

Daily Summit Pass, $35. In-person or Virtual admission. Click to Buy Now.   Full Summit Pass, $60. In-person or Virtual admission. Click to Buy Now.   Full Festival + Summit Pass, $99. In-person general admission. Click to Buy Now. 

ACCESSIBILITYReelAbilities strives for inclusion of all people. To accommodate a variety of needs, the summit will be held in-person and virtually. All sessions will include:

    • ASL interpretation
    • CART (live transcript)
    • Braille materials
    • Wheelchair seating
    • Fully accessible to people using mobility devices
    • Sensory Friendly space and support

If you require additional accessibility accommodation, please email us at: [email protected]PARTNERSThe ReelAbilities Industry Summit is Presented in Partnership with:
Logo of NYC Media & EntertainmentBe part of a group of industry leaders championing meaningful change and advancing inclusion in both the film and performing arts industries.
To learn more about partnering with the ReelAbilities Industry Summit, contact: [email protected]Button - View the summit partnerships deck