Tickets
A triptych captures diverse human emotions and experiences: on the left, a joyful interaction between two people is portrayed in black and white, emphasizing connection and understanding; the center shows a woman in a flowing dress reaching towards the sun, embodying freedom and transcendence; on the right, a solitary figure reflects in a quieter, perhaps contemplative moment, highlighting introspection.
apr 28
DATE

Thu, Apr 3, 2025

- Sat, Apr 5, 2025

VENUE

STEM Auditorium

CATEGORY

Film festival

PRICE

$ 7

PACKAGE

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.

This Spring, the ReelAbilities Film Festival at Kean University is on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with options to attend in person at Kean’s Union campus or stream virtually from home. A talkback will follow each session.

  • Screening 1: Tuesday, April 28, at 11:00 am
  • Screening 2: Tuesday, April 28, at 2:00 pm
  • Screening 3: Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 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.

Kean University STEM Building is located at 1075 Morris Ave in Union, NJ 07083. Accessibility: The STEM Building is wheelchair accessible. Films will be presented with open captions. Films with audio description are available by request. AI-powered captioning of our live conversations will be provided via Koda.

 

A woman in a white flowing dress stands with arms outstretched, silhouetted against the sun. Her pose and the mountainous backdrop evoke a sense of freedom, tranquility, and connection to nature. The lighting emphasizes her silhouette and the movement of her dress, symbolizing liberation and serenity.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 11:00 AM

Join us for a morning of short films. 

 A Stupid Man 

Director: Amy Frear 
English | United States 
9 min | Narrative

A wheelchair user’s friendship takes an unexpected turn when her best friend asks for help with his love life.

 Sleepy Head 

Director: Milly Garnier 
English | United Kingdom 
10 min | Narrative

A chronically ill teen uses dark humor and fantasy to combat medical bureaucracy while fighting for the mobility devices she needs. 
Warning: Contains depictions of blood, adult language and flashing lights.

 Unholy 

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

A college student with a feeding tube brings a new perspective to her family’s Passover Seder, allowing her to join in cultural traditions.

 Don’t Look Away 

Director: Joseph Vitug Lingad 
English | United States, Canada 
36 min | Documentary

A documentary exploring identity and connection through one man’s experiences with facial differences.

A woman with short dark hair stands in a dimly lit room next to a mirror, reflecting a contemplative and introspective mood. The wall's neutral tone contributes to the subdued and thoughtful atmosphere.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 2:00 PM

Join us for This Body is a Shell and An Unquiet Mind. 

 This Body is a Shell

Director: Ashley Eakin 
English | United States 
7 min | Narrative

A visual poem that reflects on body image and disability, serving as a reminder that we are souls housed in a temporary shell.
Warning: Contains flashing images.

 

 An Unquiet Mind 

Director: Rachel Immaraj 
English | United States 
75 min | Narrative

An intimate look at OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) beyond common stereotypes, following two individuals as they navigate daily life and build understanding about lesser-known aspects of the condition.
Warning: Contains graphic depictions of suicide, violence and sexual imagery which some viewers may find disturbing.

A black and white image showing a father and son engaged in study at a dining table, illuminated by a single overhead light.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 6:30 PM

Join us for ¡Salsa! and Color Book. 

 ¡Salsa! 

Director: Antonina Kerguelén Román  
ASL, Spanish | Colombia 
14 min | Narrative

Two women forge a connection through salsa dancing, developing new ways to share music’s essence through movement and touch.

 

 Color Book 

Director: David Fortune 
English | United States 
105 min | Narrative

A father and son’s journey across Atlanta becomes an unexpected exploration of their evolving relationship, artistic expression, and shared love of baseball.

 

Thanks 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.

The ReelAbilities at Kean University film festival and related programs are hosted by Kean Stage and supported by the Kean Office of Accessibility Services, as well as campus and community partners, including ReelAbilities New York. 

ReelAbilities New Jersey

DATE

Thu, Apr 3, 2025

- Sat, Apr 5, 2025

VENUE

STEM Auditorium

CATEGORY

Film festival

PRICE

$ 7

PACKAGE

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.

This Spring, the ReelAbilities Film Festival at Kean University is on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with options to attend in person at Kean’s Union campus or stream virtually from home. A talkback will follow each session.

  • Screening 1: Tuesday, April 28, at 11:00 am
  • Screening 2: Tuesday, April 28, at 2:00 pm
  • Screening 3: Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 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.

Kean University STEM Building is located at 1075 Morris Ave in Union, NJ 07083. Accessibility: The STEM Building is wheelchair accessible. Films will be presented with open captions. Films with audio description are available by request. AI-powered captioning of our live conversations will be provided via Koda.

 

A woman in a white flowing dress stands with arms outstretched, silhouetted against the sun. Her pose and the mountainous backdrop evoke a sense of freedom, tranquility, and connection to nature. The lighting emphasizes her silhouette and the movement of her dress, symbolizing liberation and serenity.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 11:00 AM

Join us for a morning of short films. 

 A Stupid Man 

Director: Amy Frear 
English | United States 
9 min | Narrative

A wheelchair user’s friendship takes an unexpected turn when her best friend asks for help with his love life.

 Sleepy Head 

Director: Milly Garnier 
English | United Kingdom 
10 min | Narrative

A chronically ill teen uses dark humor and fantasy to combat medical bureaucracy while fighting for the mobility devices she needs. 
Warning: Contains depictions of blood, adult language and flashing lights.

 Unholy 

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

A college student with a feeding tube brings a new perspective to her family’s Passover Seder, allowing her to join in cultural traditions.

 Don’t Look Away 

Director: Joseph Vitug Lingad 
English | United States, Canada 
36 min | Documentary

A documentary exploring identity and connection through one man’s experiences with facial differences.

A woman with short dark hair stands in a dimly lit room next to a mirror, reflecting a contemplative and introspective mood. The wall's neutral tone contributes to the subdued and thoughtful atmosphere.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 2:00 PM

Join us for This Body is a Shell and An Unquiet Mind. 

 This Body is a Shell

Director: Ashley Eakin 
English | United States 
7 min | Narrative

A visual poem that reflects on body image and disability, serving as a reminder that we are souls housed in a temporary shell.
Warning: Contains flashing images.

 

 An Unquiet Mind 

Director: Rachel Immaraj 
English | United States 
75 min | Narrative

An intimate look at OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) beyond common stereotypes, following two individuals as they navigate daily life and build understanding about lesser-known aspects of the condition.
Warning: Contains graphic depictions of suicide, violence and sexual imagery which some viewers may find disturbing.

A black and white image showing a father and son engaged in study at a dining table, illuminated by a single overhead light.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 @ 6:30 PM

Join us for ¡Salsa! and Color Book. 

 ¡Salsa! 

Director: Antonina Kerguelén Román  
ASL, Spanish | Colombia 
14 min | Narrative

Two women forge a connection through salsa dancing, developing new ways to share music’s essence through movement and touch.

 

 Color Book 

Director: David Fortune 
English | United States 
105 min | Narrative

A father and son’s journey across Atlanta becomes an unexpected exploration of their evolving relationship, artistic expression, and shared love of baseball.

 

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.

Thanks to our supporters!

The ReelAbilities at Kean University film festival and related programs are hosted by Kean Stage and supported by the Kean Office of Accessibility Services, as well as campus and community partners, including ReelAbilities New York. 

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ReelAbilities New Jersey
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