All Abilities International Film Festival (AAIFF)
Live Event: April 27 – May 2, 2027 | Santa Monica, CA & Online
The All Abilities International Film Festival (AAIFF), formerly the Conquering Disabilities with Film International Film Festival, is a nonprofit global platform celebrating artists of all abilities and all disabilities. From blind and deaf creators, to those living with mobility challenges, chronic illness, neurodiversity, or mental health conditions, AAIFF honors the extraordinary breadth of human expression and the transformative power of art.
The festival is proudly hosted by the ETHOS Film Awards and ETHOS Film Institute, founded and directed by Anabelle Munro, filmmaker, activist, and international festival director committed to purpose-driven cinema. Together, they are building AAIFF into more than a festival—it is a cultural movement for inclusion, representation, and opportunity.
Criteria for Submissions
All submissions must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Filmmaker Demographic
The project is created by individuals from the all-abilities community. This includes (but is not limited to) filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, producers, or crew members who are blind, deaf, paraplegic, neurodiverse, living with chronic illness, mental health conditions, mobility challenges, or any other disability.
Content Focus
The project centers on themes, stories, or characters related to the all-abilities community—highlighting disability, accessibility, inclusion, or diverse lived experiences.
A short cover letter is encouraged (but not required) to help the festival understand how the project fits one or both of these criteria.
The Event
In April 2026, AAIFF will host a six-day celebration in Santa Monica, CA, with additional online programming to welcome global participants. The festival will feature:
Screenings of finalist films at the Laemmle Theaters
Panels & Pitch Marathons connecting creators with producers, distributors, and funders, Career-Path Opportunities brokered through sponsors, including internships, mentorships, and industry placements for members of the all-abilities community
Networking Events designed to foster dialogue, collaboration, and long-term professional growth
Past guests include leading voices such as Cindy Cowan, Meg LeFauve, Barnet Bain, Carole Dean, Ted Baehr, James Keach, and more.
What We Showcase
AAIFF accepts submissions across all creative forms, including:
Film: Features, shorts, narratives, documentaries, experimental works
Screenwriting: Features, shorts, pilots, scenes, and poems
Music: Scores, songs, soundtracks, and lyrics
Visual & Performance Art: Photography, poster art, storyboards, dance, theater
Where Submissions & Sponsorships Go
As a nonprofit, AAIFF reinvests every submission fee and sponsorship dollar into the growth of the festival and the opportunities it provides. Current funding priorities include:
Programming:
- Screenings, panels, pitch marathons, and special events
- Career Development: Internships, mentorships, and industry access for artists of all abilities
- Partnership Development: Building collaborations with sponsors, distributors, and advocacy organizations
- Festival Infrastructure: Covering essential operations, venues, outreach, and staffing
The All Abilities International Film Festival is an initiative of ETHOS Film Institute, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by Anabelle Munro (Tax ID: 92-2693753).
All submissions, donations, and sponsorships are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For Funders & Partners
By supporting AAIFF, funders partner directly with Amy Leigh McCorkle and Anabelle Munro’s ETHOS Film Awards & ETHOS Film Institute, investing in:
Representation: Ensuring artists of all abilities are seen, heard, and celebrated
Equity: Creating real career pathways for disabled and neurodiverse creators
Legacy: Building the foundation of a permanent, fully inclusive cultural institution
AAIFF: All Voices. All Stories. All Abilities.
Awards & Benefits
Official Selection:
Every accepted submission will receive Official Selection Laurels.
Creator Badge:
Each accepted creator will receive one All-Access Creator Badge, which grants entry to:
All screenings (excluding charity or private events)
All seminars (excluding charity or specialty sessions)
All after-parties (excluding charity or private events)
Winners:
Every winner will receive Winner Laurels along with a certificate or trophy/plaque.
Grand Jury Award:
The Grand Jury Winner will receive a cash prize, the amount of which is determined annually based on festival resources and sponsorship support.
Specialty Awards
The Overcomer Award (Screenwriting): Awarded to a screenwriter from the all-abilities community.
The Stigma Busting Award (Directing): Awarded to an exceptionally talented director from the all-abilities community.
The Gemini Award (Actor): Awarded to an exceptionally talented actor from the all-abilities community.
The Gemini Award (Actress): Awarded to an exceptionally talented actress from the all-abilities community.
The Melissa Goodman Caregiver Award: Awarded to a film or script that powerfully portrays the importance of the caregiver–creator relationship within the all-abilities community.
