A Taste of ReelAbilities

Event Details

The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the US dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Founded in New York City in 2007, the festival presents international and award-winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout each hosting city. The 2026 Des Moines festival, “A Taste of ReelAbilities,” is a screening of recent short films during the Art Center’s November Social Saturday: Friendsgiving. All films will provide open captions and have audio description capabilities.

Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Free; no registration required.

Screening Information:
Film: A Morning with Aroha, 2021
Director: Nicholas Rini
Run Time: 11 minutes
Description: Aroha, an imaginative young girl with Down syndrome, sets out to share her creativity with her neighbors.

Film: Key of Genius, 2026
Director: Daniel Persitz
Run Time: 12 minutes
Description: Based on the extraordinary true story of Derek Paravicini, a blind, autistic musical prodigy, KEY OF GENIUS follows the bond between Derek and his dedicated piano teacher. Through patience, intuition, and unwavering belief, Derek’s hidden potential is unlocked, revealing the transformative power of music and mentorship. This film celebrates talent, perseverance, and the ways people with disabilities can flourish when given opportunity and understanding. Audiences are invited into a journey of inspiration, emotional depth, and triumph, witnessing a remarkable story of human connection, creativity, and the extraordinary capabilities that lie within those societies often underestimated.

*The following films are intended for adult audiences.

Film: Boys, 2026
Director: Olive Bilic
Run Time: 7 minutes
Description: Overwhelmed by the chaos of class, neurodiverse teenager Jacob seeks refuge in an empty locker room, only to face an unexpected confrontation. Created in collaboration with Bus Stop Films participants in Melbourne, BOYS highlights the emotional and social challenges faced by neurodiverse youth. Through authentic performances and an intimate lens, the film portrays the tension, vulnerability, and resilience of its characters, exploring the fine line between isolation and connection. BOYS is both a poignant and engaging narrative, offering insight into neurodiverse experiences while emphasizing the universal desire for understanding, acceptance, and human connection.

Film: Little Monsters, 2026
Director: Pablo Leridon
Run Time: 14 minutes
Description: A visually impaired teen navigates first love while sharing a transport van with a wheelchair-bound classmate. LITTLE MONSTERS blends humor and heart, showcasing adolescence, rivalry, and inclusive friendship.

Film: Bad Survivor, 2026
Director: Alex Dvorak and Katie North
Run Time: 11 minutes
Description: After being “broken up with” by her oncologists, a sarcastic young cancer patient begins her first day in remission, navigating the challenges of returning home. With humor and biting honesty, she confronts her family dynamics, cultural expectations, and the lingering trauma of treatment. BAD SURVIVOR balances comedy and pathos, portraying survival not as a singular triumph but as a process filled with awkward moments, personal reflection, and familial tension. Audiences are drawn into an intimate portrait of post-cancer life, where resilience, wit, and emotional vulnerability coexist, redefining what it means to move forward after illness.

Film: Don’t Take this the Wrong Way, 2026
Director: Rachel Handler and Crystal Arnette
Run Time: 7 minutes
Description: Darcy, beaten down by microaggressions and a recent breakup, begins to unravel emotionally. DON’T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY presents a raw exploration of personal vulnerability, societal pressures, and coping with isolation. The short captures moments of introspection, tension, and resilience, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into the lived experience of an amputee navigating social and emotional challenges. Through concise storytelling and authentic performances, the film conveys the complexity of identity, self-esteem, and the subtle ways everyday interactions can shape one’s emotional landscape.

Film: Misfit, 2026
Director: Tristan Zerbib
Run Time: 13 minutes
Description: In a world where disability is the norm, wheelchair-ball dominates the sports scene. A player is thrown off balance when forced to train with a ‘valid’ athlete, challenging her expectations and assumptions. MISFIT turns conventional sports narratives upside down, celebrating empowerment, inclusion, and the unpredictability of competition. Through fast-paced action and engaging character work, the film explores societal perceptions of ability and the courage required to embrace difference. MISFIT is a bold, energetic story that champions physical resilience, adaptability, and teamwork while entertaining audiences with humor, tension, and the triumph of spirit.

Film: Rearranged, 2025
Director: Liz Whitmere
Run Time: 12 minutes
Description: Set within the intimate confines of a hospice, REARRANGED explores how irritation, vulnerability, and humor can unexpectedly give way to human connection. Led by blind actor Bruce Horak, the film challenges assumptions about care, agency, and intimacy, revealing how small disruptions can reshape relationships.

Film: Them That’s Not, 2025
Director: Mekhai Lee
Run Time: 19 minutes
Description: Andrea “Drea” Stoney, a Deaf poet, attends her grandmother’s repass and navigates a family that doesn’t understand ASL. Complicating matters, her father is temporarily released from prison for the day, forcing Drea to reconcile with him amid grief. THEM THAT’S NOT explores identity, communication, and familial tension, highlighting the challenges Deaf individuals face within hearing-centered spaces. Through introspection, subtle humor, and emotional honesty, the film portrays the resilience required to carve personal space and connection, offering audiences insight into Deaf culture, intergenerational dynamics, and the quiet power of language, love, and understanding.

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.