ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York

The 18th annual festival will take place both virtually and in multiple in-person locations throughout the NY metropolitan area between April 23-29, 2026.

We are looking for films presenting the lives and stories of disabled individuals and communities (in front or behind the camera) that explore, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of the shared human experience.

We accept features (over 40 min), shorts (up to 40 min), narratives and documentaries from all countries, completed on or after January 2023.

We prioritize films that are made by disabled creators, and that include authentic representations from actors, writers, directors, and crew with lived experiences with disabilities.

In addition - we encourage and prioritize submissions which include captions and audio description.

Eligibility requirements for submission:
* Films must be related to the topic of disability, such as: autism, chronic illness, hearing loss and deafness, vision loss and blindness, intellectual disability, learning disability, memory loss, mental health, physical disability, speech and language disorders, PTSD and other disabilities not specified above.

* Films that have been (or plan to be) widely/commercially released theatrically or on VOD/stream prior to April 2026 are not eligible for submission. You may contact us for out-of-festival screening / collaboration.

* Films that are advertisements commissioned by a commercial company or a promotional video for an organization (PSAs) are not eligible for submission.

* Screeners sent as links should be available through April 2026. Links must be updated by submitters on their FilmFreeway account if changed.

* Submissions with captioning and audio description are encouraged so that they can be viewed by all selection committee members.

By submitting your film you are acknowledging that:
1. To the best of your knowledge, all of your statements above are accurate.
2. You are duly authorized, on your behalf and on the behalf of any person or entity that has ownership rights in the work, to submit it to the Festival and you represent that this submission is not in violation of any law nor violates any right of said person or entity.
3. You hold ReelAbilities Film Festival, its officers, as well as any of its fiscal sponsors and affiliated entities, harmless from any damage to, or loss of, any materials submitted by you, whether that damage occurs en-route to or from the Festival or during the course of the Festival's possession of said materials.
4. You do not have a planned theatrical or online release of the film prior to May 1, 2026.