The Pittsburgh Playhouse was bustling with excitement during Film Pittsburgh’s annual ReelAbilities Film Festival this past September. The event shared films from animations to dramas to documentaries. From absolute misery to absolute delight to absolute shock.
I had never attended a film festival prior to this experience so when I found out this festival centered around people living with disabilities I knew I had to attend.
I went alongside Akaiya Abdullah ‘27 and they didn’t know that I am disabled. A lot of people don’t know, it’s just the way it goes. Having a hidden disability isn’t the easiest thing to address casually. You always feel the need to explain yourself. So to avoid that, you just don’t say anything until it’s absolutely necessary. And when it is time to speak, to defend yourself, you whisper. When instead you could be shouting, “I am disabled.”
“I had a wonderful time meeting so many new and ridiculously talented individuals. The selection of films I got to see were impeccable with each telling beautiful, unique stories,” Abdullah said.
I had the opportunity to connect with so many kind and talented individuals. The event housed Q&As and after-parties that offered such a welcoming environment to meet new people. I learned so much! I have never felt connected to a community so instantly. All of the conversations that took place were engaging and insightful. Rides home were offered by people I had just met. QR codes and business cards were passed around, happily not obligatorily, and genuine plans to meet again soon were made.
This event gave people with disabilities an outlet to connect.
“Needing help is bad, it’s taboo, being a burden is a taboo. This dates back for centuries. This is not a new concept, there’s always going to be some stigma around needing help,” said disability advocate Alisha Grisham.
The festival included an art exhibition featuring artists in collaboration with Studio Forget-Me-Not! Sara Pyska, an incredible author with cerebral palsy was there, and I can vividly remember her smile.
I am currently reading her memoir Inside My Outside. It is profound, funny and content like this offers able-bodied people a necessary perspective they could never have experienced otherwise.
The event offered people an opportunity to learn more about others in their community.
“I think it was really impactful. I’ve never been to an event that is for and about [people with disabilities]. Because that’s just not really a thing, like mainstream. People don’t really talk about it. That was the first time I experienced something like that and it shouldn’t have been,” Maria Moon ‘27.
If you are interested in attending a future Film Pittsburgh event, they will be hosting two more events in November as the Three Rivers Film Festival runs from Nov. 8-15 and the Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival will take place shortly after on Nov.16-19. To learn more information about these events, visit filmpittsburgh.org. For students planning on attending, tickets for screenings are $5 with their university ID.
Film Pittsburgh
Film Pittsburgh, an organization prioritizing local and global independent films, is booked and busy in preparation to host two film festivals this upcoming November. The Three Rivers Film Festival runs from Nov. 8-15 in various locations within Pittsburgh, including Harris Theater, Pittsburgh Playhouse, The Lindsay Theater and Waterworks Cinema.
The Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival will take place shortly after on Nov.16-19. Located at Harris Theater, this festival offers 15 blocks of stirring short films, from drama to comedy, calling attention to both local and global perspectives. Films showcased are coming from 21 different countries. Events offered at this festival include live script readings, hosted by a talented cast, as well as a filmmaker conference, which provides an excellent networking opportunity for students.
Students have the opportunity at both festivals to take a behind-the-scenes look at the films they’ve just screened through Q&As with the cast and crew. Be sure to keep an eye out for October 18th, when the lineups, trailers, and tickets go public. Tickets are available to purchase for $5 a screening for Students, $18.00 for general admission, and $10.00 for those under 25. To receive a student discount, students must arrive in person to the given location 30 minutes prior to the screening. Be sure to bring valid student identification. Virtual screenings are available for both festivals if scheduling conflicts occur. For more information, visit FilmPittsburgh.org.
“I think it was really impactful. I’ve never been to an event that is for and about disabled people because that’s just not really a thing, like mainstream. People don’t really talk about it. That was the first time I experienced something like that and it shouldn’t have been,” Maria Moon ‘27 said. “Everybody should be able to have this be at the forefront of their minds and be able to have access and see these stories.”
“Needing help is bad! It’s taboo! Being a burden is a taboo. This dates back for centuries. This is not a new concept. There’s always gonna be some stigma around needing help.” Why the conversation needs to change and why mutual aid is important. Needing help is normal! Everyone needs help! And the sooner abled-bodied people recognize that, the quicker positive change can happen for the disabled community. Help others because you know what its like to need help.