Date
Friday, October 4, 2024
Time
6:30 pm
Event Details
All films are shown at The Harkin Institute, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Due to the nature of the festival, ableism content warnings apply to a number of films.
Founded in New York City in 2007, ReelAbilities is dedicated to screening films created by and about people with disabilities. In 2012, ReelAbilities began their Affiliate Festivals Program, making it possible for organizations like the Des Moines Art Center and The Harkin Institute to host ReelAbilites festivals in cities all over the world. The 2024, Des Moines festival will be a “Taste of ReelAbilities”, screening three feature films. 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.
This program is supported by the Principal® Foundation
Films were selected with the participation of the following Advisory Committee members: Lisa Donnelly, Kevin Ha, Tyler Leech, Sadie Logemann, Anna Mundy, Abby Niederhauser, Monty Nyberg, Jen Schwartz, and Nisha Suresh
Friday, October 4 / 6:30 pm
Film: OKAY! (The ASD Band Film), 2022
Documentary / 1 hour 26 minutes / not rated
Language: English
Director: Mark Bone
OKAY! (The ASD Band Film) follows the members of ASD Band, featuring four talented individuals on the autism spectrum, as they take on the challenge of writing and recording their first album, and ultimately performing their first public show. Through a shared love of music, Rawan, Jackson, Spenser and Ron shatter the stigma of those with autism as loners, coming together to express themselves through song.
Along the way we delve into the deep corridors of their lives, as they learn to navigate a world foreign to them by finding strength in others who share the same challenges.