New York, NY (Feb 20, 2025) The 17th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York (RFFNY), the world’s leading exhibitor showcasing and redefining how disability is perceived and presented in entertainment media, returns April 3-9, 2025, with another dynamic lineup celebrating the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities worldwide.
Sam Cox’s Viral Art Journey Takes Center Stage at The Shed
RFFNY kicks off with the highly anticipated NY premiere of “The Trouble with Mr. Doodle” at The Shed on April 3, 2025. The documentary pulls back the curtain on social media phenomenon Sam Cox, whose compulsive doodling transformed his entire house into a black-and-white masterpiece that captured global attention.
Helmed by Academy Award-nominated directors Jaimie D’Cruz (“Exit Through the Gift Shop”) and Ed Perkins (“Tell Me Who I Am”), this intimate portrait goes beyond the viral videos to explore the intersection of artistic obsession, mental health, and family dynamics. The film marks a powerful collaboration between some of documentary’s most accomplished, with executive producers Simon Chinn (two-time Academy Award winner for “Man on Wire” and “Searching for Sugar Man”) and Jonathan Chinn (Emmy Award winner for “LA 92” and “Whitney”) bringing their storytelling expertise to chronicle Cox’s remarkable journey.
The Shed provides a perfect venue for opening night, representing ReelAbilities’ demonstrated, evolving commitment to innovative storytelling and artistic expression. As a multi-disciplinary creative arts center known for expanding traditional cultural boundaries, The Shed shares RFFNY’s mission and the opening night film’s themes of liberating art and experience from perceived limitations.
“Opening night is more than a film screening,” said Isaac Zablocki, Director and Co-Founder of ReelAbilities. “It’s the largest disability arts celebration in the Big Apple, and a convening of communities. An appreciation of, and investment in, the power of the arts for everyone.”
ReelAbilites “Spotlight Award” Honoree WICKED’s Marissa Bode
RFFNY is proud to announce groundbreaking actress Marissa Bode as its 2025 Spotlight Award recipient. Bode made history with her acclaimed performance as
Nessarose in the recent film adaptation of “Wicked,” making her the first wheelchair user to assume the role. Her authentic casting resonated with audiences worldwide and inspired Broadway to do the same on stage with cast changes this March.
The Spotlight Award, which honors individuals who champion representation, imagination, and opportunity for under-served communities in the entertainment industry, places Bode among an illustrious group of previous honorees, including EGOT Whoopi Goldberg and Academy Award recipients Troy Kotsur, and Marlee Matlin.
Bode will be in attendance to receive the award during the festival’s opening night celebration at The Shed.
Other Festival Highlights
Running for seven exciting days in venues throughout NYC’s five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island, the 2025 lineup of world, US, and NY premieres of over 30 features and shorts will be announced on Thursday, March 6, as tickets go on sale.
In addition to its wide-ranging film selection, the festival will present riveting conversations led and attended by guest filmmakers, community and industry leaders, as well as additional programs, including the ReelAbilities Comedy Night. One of the festival’s most popular events, the ReelAbilities Comedy Night will be presented this year for the first time at the prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Increasing Industry Impact
Presented as part of the week-long festival, in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the ReelAbilities Industry Summit will return for its 4th edition, gathering professionals from the film and performing arts industries dive deeper into disability inclusion, equity and accessibility in the entertainment industry across disciplines and platforms.
The two-day summit features panels, workshops, expert sessions and networking events led by industry pioneers, including Vimeo, Amazon Studios, AMC Networks and ITVS, among others, demonstrating ReelAbilities’ ongoing commitment to driving change in the entertainment landscape.
“Baked In” Accessibility
ReelAbilities continues to set industry standards, providing a wide range of accessibility accommodations throughout all festival screenings, conversations and special events, ensures accessibility for all by including:
● Open captions for all films
● Closed Audio description for all films
● ASL interpretation and Live captioning (CART) for all Q&As, and panel discussions and events
● Festival materials in Braille and large font formats
● Sensory friendly break rooms and fidgets
● All venues accessible for wheelchairs and other mobility devices, service animals, and more.
● Accessible Virtual options for many of the films via our streaming site www.reelabilities.org/stream.
Tickets
Opening Night tickets and early bird passes for ReelAbilities will go on sale, Thursday, February 20.
The full slate of films for the 2025 RFFNY will be announced on Thursday, March 6. Tickets go on sale the same day.
Full details about the festival, including passes, and ticket sales, are available at: reelabilities.org/newyork
For Summit information, visit: reelabilities.org/summit
