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Today is a two-for-one! You get lots of info about the upcoming ReelAbilities Portland film festival, and you get to celebrate the annual, international Blogging Against Disablism Day. I put them together for one big reason and one small reason. The small reason? I’m terrible with time management! I was going to share the film festival today, and I missed blogging on the actual Blogging Against Disablism Day yesterday.
But the big reason–the real reason–is that affirmative disability media is a powerful avenue into ending disablism (what I always call “ableism” except for on this one day). There are tons of ways that people work to dismantle oppression: protests, marches, chaining themselves to inaccessible buses, testifying to elected leaders, practicing anti-oppressive interactions and language each day, supporting marginalized groups economically, and many more. As you’ve figured out by now, media is the route I choose for spreading anti-oppression messages and also for practicing anti-oppression by what content I create and share, who I hire to work on my projects, and whose projects I choose to work on.
So today’s blog post focuses on the film festival because it’s rooted in Disability Art and Culture Project‘s philosophy to foster disability pride through the arts, and flaunting disability pride is a great–and fun–way to work against disablism. I hope everyone who’s nearby will come to every single event we’re having over two weeks, whether you identify with disability or not. It’s just damn great content that would be of interest to lots of people! I’ll be at every event. Come say hi to me!
Also, this is the first ever Disability Film Festival in Oregon. That is a big reason to come out and celebrate with us.
Portland ReelAbilities Film Festival
Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29
Showtimes available here
Alberta Rose Theatre
3000 NE Alberta St.
TriMet bus line: #72
ReelAbilities, the nation’s largest film festival dedicated to sharing the stories of people with disabilities, makes its Portland debut from May 27 to 29, 2016, presented by the Disability Art and Culture Festival (DACP). Founded in 2007, ReelAbilities is hosted in cities across the nation including New York, Chicago, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.
DACP’s goal is to have a high quality film festival that portrays people with disabilities without stereotype or overcoming medical narratives. We want to show both disabled and able-bodied audiences that we are filmmakers, actors and actresses and that our lives are complex and our imaginations vast. Our films will emphasize an affirmative disability identity that values our contributions and artistry.
In addition to 25 award-winning films by and about people with disabilities, the festival will present a DIY filmmaking workshop May 16 and 18, a panel on disability representation in film and TV, May 19 and locally made films on May 29.
More information–including a full roster of titles, screening times, and workshop and panel information–is available on the Portland ReelAbilities website.
Purchase tickets on the Alberta Rose Theatre’s website. Tickets are $10 for each 2-hour screening, $18 for a day pass and $30 for a weekend pass.
DIY Micro-Short Filmmaking Workshop
Monday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 18
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
OPAL Environmental Justice
2407 SE 49th Ave. (corner of SE Division)
TriMet bus lines: #4, #14, #71
Bring your smartphone, iPod touch, tablet, or laptop and make a one-minute film on the go!
Most mainstream movies focus on people who are white, straight, and non-disabled, which leaves out people with other life experiences. It’s more important than ever to ensure everyone has equal access to media-making tools and is encouraged to seek out opportunities to create their own movies. The micro-shorts (one minute) will be shared online as part of the Disability Pride Art & Culture Film Festival.
Read more about this free workshop on the Portland ReelAbilities website.
Disability Representation in Film and TV Panel Discussion
Thursday, May 19
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Portland Community Media, Studio A
2766 NE MLK, Jr. Blvd.
TriMet bus line: #6
Join local artists with disabilities and allies as they talk about the ways we can bring disability arts into the mainstream.
Read more about this free panel on the Portland ReelAbilities website.
Space is limited. Email us to RSVP.
Contact us: pdx.reelabilities@gmail.com
All films are Closed Captioned. ASL Interpretation and Audio Description available at select film screenings. The venues are wheelchair accessible.
Thank you to our sponsors and partners:
