A Taste of ReelAbilities at the Des Moines Art Center

Event Details

Founded in New York City in 2007, ReelAbilities challenges stereotypes, celebrates authentic disability representation in movies, and expands opportunities for disabled creators worldwide. The 2025 Des Moines festival is “A Taste of ReelAbilities,” screening a combination of features and shorts over two days — first at The Harkin Institute, then at the Des Moines Art Center, showing different films each day. All film screenings will be followed by a conversation with individuals from the disability community related to the specific content of the films.

All films will provide open captions and have audio description capabilities.
In addition to films being shown at the Art Center and The Harkin Institute, The Varsity Cinema will present a related film on Wednesday, November 5, leading up to “A Taste of ReelAbilities” on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9.

This program is supported by the Principal® Foundation. The film showings at The Harkin Institute and the Des Moines Art Center are free, and registration is required.

tickets

Screening Information:
Film: Millstone, 2023
Director: Peter Hoffman Kimball
Run Time: 15 minutes
Description: A desperate, grieving couple thinks they have found the only therapist who can help them save their marriage – but his methods might be worse than anyone imagined. Featuring an entirely Deaf cast, Millstone is a dark thriller, filled with twists and turns, that offers a fresh, authentic perspective on the complexities of the human experience.

Film: As You Are, 2023
Director: Daisy Friedman
Run Time: 14 minutes
Description: When an interabled queer couple spend the night together for the first time, they must confront their complex relationships with desire, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and what it means truly to love another person.

Film: Comedy Against the Odds, 2023
Director: Suzanne Luna
Run Time: 30 minutes
Description: Ten-year-old Austin Eletto brings his personal perspective to the stand-up comedy stage, using humor to bridge identity and build connection. Through his witty observations and sharp timing, Austin crafts material that resonates with audiences while challenging assumptions about autism. The documentary reveals how comedy can be a medium for authentic self-expression and community building.

Film: Coming Out Autistic, 2022
Director: Steven Fraser
Run Time: 4 minutes
Description: Queer coming out stories are well documented, while telling friends, family, co-workers, and strangers that you are autistic is shown less often. But what is the experience of telling the world that you are autistic when you also identify as LGBTQ+?

Film: We are the Athletes, 2024
Director: Angel Gates Fonesca
Run Time: 37 minutes
Description: Through the experiences of Farryl, a young skier, and Matt, a veteran, the film explores how The Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, NY, creates new possibilities for athletic expression, and showcases innovative approaches to athletic training and competition. Their stories highlight how technical creativity and community support make diverse participation in sports possible.

We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.