Industry Summit

ReelAbilities Industry Summit:
Disability Inclusion and Equity in Film + Performing Arts

April 8-9, 2024 –  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.

2024 ReelAbilities Industry Summit

The following program will continue to update as summit’s speakers and participants are announced. Summit speakers are the leading forces working towards representation, inclusion and accessibility in film, television and performing arts.

Program Advisor: Christine Bruno

Day 1 – Monday, April 8, 2024

1:00 pm | Intro + Welcome Remarks

1:15 – 2:00 pm | Disability Inclusion on Stage
The curtain is rising on disability inclusion, from off broadway to center stage disability integration is breaking new ground and reclaiming the stage. Join us for an in-depth look at some of the revolutionary projects and finding how story and accessibility can go hand in hand.
With: Marilee Talkington, Anthony Michael Lopez, Adam Linn, Jenna Bainbridge (Suffs), Maria Porto (Access Broadway NY), Gwynn MacDonald. Moderator: Christine Bruno (Actor, Disability Equity Consultant).

2:10 – 2:40 pm | Making Waves in the Music Industry
The music industry and disability have a long history. Innovative voices come together to change the old standards. How can we amplify disabled voices in this arena?
With: John bayless (Pianist, subject of “Lost Rhapsody”), Ken Trush (Just Call Me By My Name Record Label), J. Fagotti (Medusa). Moderated by Marc Winski.

2:50 – 3:15 pm | Shaking Things Up in the Dance World
Disability and Dance continue to break boundaries. Hear from a panel of innovative disabled dancers who are making their mark on the dance world.
With: Leslie Taub (Memory Project), Zazel-Chavah O’Garra (ZCO/DANCEPROJEC), Donald Lee (Dancer, subject of “Donald”)

3:15pm – Watch the Eclipse from MMJCCM’s rooftop! (bring your own gear).

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | The Business of Disability
Like any industry, film and performing arts need to be financially sustainable. How can we better market and distribute disability on screen and stage and make art viable and more successful. Featuring insight and case studies from the film, performing arts, and commercial sectors of the media industry, we will unpack how to create successful content, marketing campaigns, and ultimately models that expand representation.
With: Gloria Pitagorsky (Heard City), Jason DaSilva (Filmmaker / AXS lab), Alexa Smith (The Public), Bri Scalesse (model and disability advocate).  Moderated by: Amanda Needham (The Telly Awards).

4:20 – 4:50 p.m. | Day 1 Showcase – Roundabout Theater, NEA, MAC

5:00 p.m. | Networking Reception

6:00 p.m. | LEFT ALONE RHAPSODY–THE MUSICAL MEMOIR OF PIANIST JOHN BAYLESS
Followed by a conversation with director Stewart Schulman and subject John Bayless. Moderated by: Anita Hollander.

8:30 p.m. | Join us for the screening of HotDocs award-winning documentary SEXUAL HEALING with the subject and director of the film (tickets not included in summit pass).

Day 2 – Tuesday, April 9, 2024

1:00 p.m. | Day 2 Welcome

1:05 – 1:50 p.m. | Filmmakers of ReelAbilities Discuss Accessibility in the Industry
Hear how filmmakers made their sets and final products more accessible. How can we best connect story with disability inclusion and where are the points of friction.
Moderated by: Lawrence Carter Long 

2:00 – 2:50 p.m. | ReelAbilities Rough Cuts – The Loreen Arbus Completion Award
Taste of works in progress in the inaugural rough-cut pitch program and launch of the Loreen Arbus Completion Award. 3-4 eligible projects will be selected to pitch in front of a panel of Industry leaders. In addition to a $10,000 cash prize presented by Loreen Arbus Productions and $2,000 presented by AMC Networks,  Audio Description by Woman of Her Word, mentorship from industry experts, filming and editing equipment, and other exciting career advancing opportunities will be awarded.
Pitching Projects: Mind Games, Disposable Humanity, Cuéntame: Stories of Activism
Judges: Steven Verdile (NBCUniversal), Nikki Love (ALLBLK, AMC Networks), Lawrence Carter Long (disArt)

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Crip Script Pitch
Following the success of last year, this pitch panel returns in an expanded format.
Hear Film and TV pitches as they compete for the hearts of a panel of industry leaders.
The winners of the Crip Script Pitch will be awarded with mentorship opportunitis by ITVS and AMC Networks, $2500 cash award presented by Shine Global, filming and editing equipment, and other exciting career advancing opportunities, including a grant to participate in Sunny Side of the Doc International Documentary Marketplace.
Crip Script Pitch Program advisor: Andrew Pilkington
Pitching Projects: No Handicap, Monstrous Me, Asia A, Debra, Cripping Up, The Dismantled.
Judges: Nikki Love (ALLBLK, AMC Networks), Miriam Mintz (Likely Story), Michael Ehrenzweig (ITVS), Jordan Moffet (Screenwriter)

4:40 – 5:10 p.m. | Day 2 Showcase – ITVS, American Masters, Respectability

5:15 – 6:00 p.m. | Networking Reception

6:00 p.m. | NAME ME LAWAND
Shine Global ReelAbilities Accessibility Award Winner, followed by a conversation.

8:30 p.m. | Join us for the ReelAbilities Comedy Night (tickets not included in summit pass).

* Program and schedule are subject to change

Tickets

Daily Summit Passes for either in-person or virtual admission:
$25
BUY NOW

Full Summit Passes for either in-person or virtual admission:
$40
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Accessibility

ReelAbilities 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

For questions or inquiries, contact [email protected]