A Taste of ReelAbilities at The Harkin Institute

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: My Own Normal, 2024
Director: Alexander Freeman
Run Time: 57 minutes
Description: The latest documentary from disabled filmmaker Alexander Freeman captures his own unexpected journey into parenthood prompting difficult questions, and confronting common assumptions about autonomy, self-determination, and independence along the way.

Film: 17%, 2024
Director: Aaron Johnson
Run Time: 13 minutes
Description: Entrepreneur Collette Divitto, who has Down syndrome, transforms workplace culture through her successful cookie company. Addressing the 83% unemployment rate among disabled people, she builds an inclusive business model built on individual strengths rather than perceived deficits. The film follows Collette’s unique approach to hiring and workplace culture, showcasing the ripple effects of her leadership throughout the business community.

Film: Dreamcaster, 2023
Director: William Maher
Run Time: 27 minutes
Description: With the help of technology, Cameron Black, a blind sports enthusiast, fulfills his dream of becoming a sportscaster. Cameron’s passion for sports grows, leading to an opportunity to broadcast live games, showcasing how technological advances improve both accessibility and opportunity.

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.