Tickets
A collage of three scenes captures diverse stories: a group of young people joyously gathered, a solitary individual standing under bright lights, and a group of people observing an interaction with law enforcement, including individuals with disabilities. These images convey themes of friendship, individuality, and activism, highlighting different facets of social interaction and resistance.
Opens April 3
DATE

Thu, Apr 3, 2025

- Sat, Apr 5, 2025

VENUE

North Ave Academic Building [NAAB]

CATEGORY

Film festival

PRICE

$ 7

ReelAbilities New Jersey

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

The hybrid ReelAbilities Film Festival at Kean University runs from Thursday, April 3, to Saturday, April 5, 2025, with options to attend in person at Kean’s Union campus or stream virtually from home.

  • Screening 1: Thursday, April 3, at 10:00 am
  • Screening 2: Thursday, April 3, at 6:00 pm
  • Screening 3: Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm
  • Screening 4: Saturday, April 5, at 2:00 pm
  • Screening 5: Saturday, April 5, at 6:00 pm

 

Please note: The auditorium will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the above screening start times. Please plan your arrival and departure times accordingly.

North Avenue Academic Center [NAAB]
Located at the corner of 1000 Morris Ave. and North Ave. in Union, NJ 07083.

A group of six friends, diverse in appearance, joyfully gather for a selfie. They are outdoors next to a camper van, suggesting a road trip adventure. One person is holding a guitar, adding a musical element to the scene. The lively expressions and casual attire capture a moment of carefree fun and friendship, set against a rural backdrop with trees.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3 @ 10:00 AM

Join us for Okthanksbye and How to Build a Life.

 How to Build a Life 

Director: Matthew Reese
English | United Kingdom
10 min | Documentary

Louis, a young man with Asperger’s, talks candidly to his older brother about a decade-long struggle with bullying that nearly ended his life. He finds an outlet for his creativity and healing with Legos and his loyal dog. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/VrGTGd5-n0Q

 Okthanksbye 

Director: Nicole Van Kilsdonk
Dutch, Dutch Sign Language, French | Netherlands
92 min | Narrative

Classmates at a boarding school for the deaf, shy Jamie and bold Imane, set off on an unexpected road trip to Paris. When things do not go as planned, the trip takes an adventurous turn, and Jamie must come out of her shell. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/baYa-4EWKQI

A window reflection composition featuring a person in a red jacket using a wheelchair juxtaposed with a display of mannequins. The image blends different layers of reality and reflection, creating a dynamic urban scene that juxtaposes human presence with commercial display. The visual contrast highlights themes of accessibility, societal norms, and the intersection of consumer culture with everyday life.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3 @ 6:00 PM

Join us for Sexual Healing, My Eyes are Up Here and As You Are.

 As You Are 

Director: Daisy Friedman
English | United States
14 min | Narrative

When an interabled queer couple spend the night together for the first time, they must confront their complex relationships with desire, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and what it means truly to love another person. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/uGsncNISwwg

 My Eyes Are Up Here 

Director: Nathan Morris
English | United Kingdom
13 min | Narrative

A broken condom sends a woman, and her one-night stand out for the morning-after pill. Except it’s not so simple: she’s disabled, a woman of color, and around her, people are jerks. An eye-opening odyssey for him, just another day for her. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/UEPOO0ZJsJs

 Sexual Healing 

Director: Elsbeth Fraanje
Dutch | Netherlands
55 min | Documentary

Evelien, a 53-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, sets out on a disarming and often funny quest for intimacy and exploration of her sexuality, unearthing needs she has been suppressing her entire life. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/2CQ2tw1oirI

A group of protesters with disabilities, some in wheelchairs and others with crutches, confront a line of riot police. The scene unfolds in an urban street, reflecting themes of resistance and civil rights activism. The police, equipped with helmets and shields, stand in a defensive line, creating a barrier. The image captures the struggle and determination of marginalized individuals fighting for their rights against authoritative forces.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4 @ 6:00 PM

Join us for La Lucha and Working Differently.

 Working Differently 

Director: Hannah Currie
English | United Kingdom
24 min | Documentary

A series of interviews with crew and established industry figures shows why accessibility and inclusion should become an industry standard in film and television. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/LDJGZvouEhk

 La Lucha 

Director: Violeta Ayala
Spanish | Bolivia, United States, Australia
93 min | Documentary

Four disability rights advocates gather and motivate hundreds during a 35-day, 250-mile journey across the Andes. Confronting barricades, riot police and hostility from fellow citizens, these activists persist and ultimately arrive in La Paz, Bolivia, rewriting national history. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/aSmPUt_jRtE

A group of friends gather in a desert landscape, with two individuals in the foreground closely examining a photograph on a camera. They display curiosity and excitement as they bond over photography. The setting is outdoors, showcasing natural rock formations and a warm ambiance, emphasizing friendship, creativity, and exploration in nature.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 @ 2:00 PM

Join us for Good Bad Things and Sea Legs.

 Sea Legs 

Director: Sam Dijkstra
Dutch | Netherlands
8 min | Narrative

When Marius meets his girlfriend’s friends, he tries to hide his insecurities, but when the whole group decides to go swimming, he faces a difficult choice. Will he swim or stay on the beach and hide?

 Good Bad Things 

Director: Shane D. Stanger
English | United States
96 min | Narrative

Danny, a young man with muscular dystrophy, steps out of his comfort zone and into the world of online dating. An unexpected match with Madi, an enigmatic photographer, challenges him to be vulnerable and sparks a profound journey of self-acceptance. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/WZ90D3lvLZM

A man in a wheelchair accompanies a young girl walking alongside him on a suburban sidewalk, while a dog walks on the grass nearby. The scene exudes a sense of everyday life, accessibility, and family bonding, highlighted by the springtime setting and the presence of greenery along the path. The image captures themes of mobility, companionship, and the warmth of shared moments in a community environment.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 @ 6:00 PM

Join us for Daruma and Dosh.

 Dosh 

Director: Radha Mehta
English, Hindi | United States
16 min | Narrative

When her son’s life is put at risk at their family’s pre-wedding ritual, a mother with hearing loss must decide how to seek help for her husband to keep her family safe. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/bpLpkruwlDc

 Daruma 

Director: Alexander Yellen
English | United States
104 min | Narrative

When day-drinking, unemployed paraplegic Patrick finds out he is the father of a 4-year-old girl he never knew existed, he enlists the help of his double amputee veteran neighbor Robert to drive him and his newfound daughter across the country to live with her maternal grandparents. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/ODy71dV6qXk

Thank you to our supporters!

Promotional banner for the ReelAbilities Film Festival featuring the Kean University and Kean Stage logos. The banner highlights the event location in New Jersey, utilizing a bold, professional design with a dark background and orange accents.

ReelAbilities New Jersey is led by Montclair State University and generously supported by the Kessler Foundation. The ReelAbilities at Kean University film festival and related programs are hosted by Kean Stage and supported by campus and community partners.

ReelAbilities New Jersey

DATE

Thu, Apr 3, 2025

- Sat, Apr 5, 2025

VENUE

North Ave Academic Building [NAAB]

CATEGORY

Film festival

PRICE

$ 7

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

The hybrid ReelAbilities Film Festival at Kean University runs from Thursday, April 3, to Saturday, April 5, 2025, with options to attend in person at Kean’s Union campus or stream virtually from home.

  • Screening 1: Thursday, April 3, at 10:00 am
  • Screening 2: Thursday, April 3, at 6:00 pm
  • Screening 3: Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm
  • Screening 4: Saturday, April 5, at 2:00 pm
  • Screening 5: Saturday, April 5, at 6:00 pm

 

Please note: The auditorium will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the above screening start times. Please plan your arrival and departure times accordingly.

North Avenue Academic Center [NAAB]
Located at the corner of 1000 Morris Ave. and North Ave. in Union, NJ 07083.

A group of six friends, diverse in appearance, joyfully gather for a selfie. They are outdoors next to a camper van, suggesting a road trip adventure. One person is holding a guitar, adding a musical element to the scene. The lively expressions and casual attire capture a moment of carefree fun and friendship, set against a rural backdrop with trees.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3 @ 10:00 AM

Join us for Okthanksbye and How to Build a Life.

 How to Build a Life 

Director: Matthew Reese
English | United Kingdom
10 min | Documentary

Louis, a young man with Asperger’s, talks candidly to his older brother about a decade-long struggle with bullying that nearly ended his life. He finds an outlet for his creativity and healing with Legos and his loyal dog. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/VrGTGd5-n0Q

 Okthanksbye 

Director: Nicole Van Kilsdonk
Dutch, Dutch Sign Language, French | Netherlands
92 min | Narrative

Classmates at a boarding school for the deaf, shy Jamie and bold Imane, set off on an unexpected road trip to Paris. When things do not go as planned, the trip takes an adventurous turn, and Jamie must come out of her shell. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/baYa-4EWKQI

A window reflection composition featuring a person in a red jacket using a wheelchair juxtaposed with a display of mannequins. The image blends different layers of reality and reflection, creating a dynamic urban scene that juxtaposes human presence with commercial display. The visual contrast highlights themes of accessibility, societal norms, and the intersection of consumer culture with everyday life.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3 @ 6:00 PM

Join us for Sexual Healing, My Eyes are Up Here and As You Are.

 As You Are 

Director: Daisy Friedman
English | United States
14 min | Narrative

When an interabled queer couple spend the night together for the first time, they must confront their complex relationships with desire, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and what it means truly to love another person. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/uGsncNISwwg

 My Eyes Are Up Here 

Director: Nathan Morris
English | United Kingdom
13 min | Narrative

A broken condom sends a woman, and her one-night stand out for the morning-after pill. Except it’s not so simple: she’s disabled, a woman of color, and around her, people are jerks. An eye-opening odyssey for him, just another day for her. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/UEPOO0ZJsJs

 Sexual Healing 

Director: Elsbeth Fraanje
Dutch | Netherlands
55 min | Documentary

Evelien, a 53-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, sets out on a disarming and often funny quest for intimacy and exploration of her sexuality, unearthing needs she has been suppressing her entire life. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/2CQ2tw1oirI

A group of protesters with disabilities, some in wheelchairs and others with crutches, confront a line of riot police. The scene unfolds in an urban street, reflecting themes of resistance and civil rights activism. The police, equipped with helmets and shields, stand in a defensive line, creating a barrier. The image captures the struggle and determination of marginalized individuals fighting for their rights against authoritative forces.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4 @ 6:00 PM

Join us for La Lucha and Working Differently.

 Working Differently 

Director: Hannah Currie
English | United Kingdom
24 min | Documentary

A series of interviews with crew and established industry figures shows why accessibility and inclusion should become an industry standard in film and television. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/LDJGZvouEhk

 La Lucha 

Director: Violeta Ayala
Spanish | Bolivia, United States, Australia
93 min | Documentary

Four disability rights advocates gather and motivate hundreds during a 35-day, 250-mile journey across the Andes. Confronting barricades, riot police and hostility from fellow citizens, these activists persist and ultimately arrive in La Paz, Bolivia, rewriting national history. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/aSmPUt_jRtE

A group of friends gather in a desert landscape, with two individuals in the foreground closely examining a photograph on a camera. They display curiosity and excitement as they bond over photography. The setting is outdoors, showcasing natural rock formations and a warm ambiance, emphasizing friendship, creativity, and exploration in nature.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5 @ 2:00 PM

Join us for Good Bad Things and Sea Legs.

 Sea Legs 

Director: Sam Dijkstra
Dutch | Netherlands
8 min | Narrative

When Marius meets his girlfriend’s friends, he tries to hide his insecurities, but when the whole group decides to go swimming, he faces a difficult choice. Will he swim or stay on the beach and hide?

 Good Bad Things 

Director: Shane D. Stanger
English | United States
96 min | Narrative

Danny, a young man with muscular dystrophy, steps out of his comfort zone and into the world of online dating. An unexpected match with Madi, an enigmatic photographer, challenges him to be vulnerable and sparks a profound journey of self-acceptance. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/WZ90D3lvLZM

A man in a wheelchair accompanies a young girl walking alongside him on a suburban sidewalk, while a dog walks on the grass nearby. The scene exudes a sense of everyday life, accessibility, and family bonding, highlighted by the springtime setting and the presence of greenery along the path. The image captures themes of mobility, companionship, and the warmth of shared moments in a community environment.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5 @ 6:00 PM

Join us for Daruma and Dosh.

 Dosh 

Director: Radha Mehta
English, Hindi | United States
16 min | Narrative

When her son’s life is put at risk at their family’s pre-wedding ritual, a mother with hearing loss must decide how to seek help for her husband to keep her family safe. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/bpLpkruwlDc

 Daruma 

Director: Alexander Yellen
English | United States
104 min | Narrative

When day-drinking, unemployed paraplegic Patrick finds out he is the father of a 4-year-old girl he never knew existed, he enlists the help of his double amputee veteran neighbor Robert to drive him and his newfound daughter across the country to live with her maternal grandparents. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/ODy71dV6qXk

Promotional banner for the ReelAbilities Film Festival featuring the Kean University and Kean Stage logos. The banner highlights the event location in New Jersey, utilizing a bold, professional design with a dark background and orange accents.

Thank you to our supporters!

ReelAbilities New Jersey is led by Montclair State University and generously supported by the Kessler Foundation. The ReelAbilities at Kean University film festival and related programs are hosted by Kean Stage and supported by campus and community partners.

tickets
ReelAbilities New Jersey
Venue
  • North Ave Academic Building [NAAB]