‍Celebrate the lives, stories and talents of people with disabilities at a ReelAbilities Houston event.

Schedule of Events:

February 2, 2025

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: ReelArt Opening Reception

See the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities and enjoy a special exhibition by featured artist Keith Wasserman

About Celebration Company

Our artists work with various mediums, such as painting, photography, and glass fusion. These allow the artist multiple ways to excel at expressing themselves when they otherwise would be unable to.

All of our artists are equal members of a profit share. This allows them to feel that their perspective is appreciated while actively contributing to their society.

To view the art virtually or to purchase products, please visit here

We provide life skills and meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities who-with joy and purpose-provide services and create products that celebrate the good of life.

Celebration Company is a faith-based program open to the Jewish and Greater Houston Community.

Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: Sabine Street Studios  - 1907 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007

February 5, 2025

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM: ReelWorkplace 2025

Event Schedule

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Expo
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch & Program
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Networking

Unlocking Potential: Embracing Neurodiversity to Enhance the Workplace

This signature event of the Festival helps Houston's business community understand the importance of creating a culture of inclusion by leveraging everyone's unique abilities. Businesses that embrace neurodiversity support individual potential and cultivate a richer, more innovative workplace culture. By implementing thoughtful strategies, organizations can unlock the full spectrum of talent and creativity, driving success for everyone involved.

Featuring Keynote Speaker Jeff Miller, CEO, Potentia, and a panel moderated by Katherine Loveland, PhD.

Register Now

Cost: $35

Location: United Way of Greater Houston - 50 Waugh Dr, Houston TX 77007

February 13, 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: ReelPeople

Introducing your 2025 ReelPeople speakers!

ReelPeople: features presentations from remarkable experts that will intimately and urgently reveal the world of disabilities. Join us for an extraordinary evening with extraordinary stories with:

‍John Bayless
Mikayla Holmgren ‍
Kelubia Mabatah

Reception at 6:15, Program begins at 7:00.

Register Now

Cost: $25

Location: United Way of Greater Houston - 50 Waugh Dr, Houston TX 77007

February 16, 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: ReelFilm: Opening Night

Event Schedule

6:30 PM: Doors Open
7:00 PM: Opening Remarks and Film Screening

ReelAbilities Opening Film Night: Upside Down

Join ReelAbilities Houston for the opening film night, featuring opening remarks from Festival chairs Alli and Jeffrey Feinstein and the outstanding film EZRA

EZRA

Disabilities Represented: ASD, Neurodivergence

Director: Tony Goldwyn

Divorced stand-up comedian Max Bernal struggles to raise his autistic son, Ezra. Forced to confront difficult decisions about the boy's future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both of their lives.

‍Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: River Oaks Theatre - 2009 West Gray Street Houston, TX 77019

February 17, 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: ReelFilm: Night 2

Join ReelAbilities Houston for night 2 of ReelFilm 2025 featuring the remarkable career, accomplishments, and obstacles of an extrodinary musician.

Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless
Disability represented: Stroke, Paralysis, Physical Disability

Directed by: Stewart M. Schulman
At 25, Leonard Bernstein's protégé, John Bayless, debuted at Carnegie Hall, launching a 30-year-long recording career as a solo pianist, composer, and improviser. At 54, after a left-brain stroke immobilized his right side, John is determined to reinvent himself as a one-handed musician and storyteller.

PLUS! John Bayless joins us for ReelPeople on February 13.

Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: River Oaks Theatre - 2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

February 18, 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: ReelFilm: Mental Health Night 2025

Event Schedule

6:30 PM: Doors Open
7:00 PM: Opening Remarks and Film Screening
8:15 PM Panel Discussion

Join ReelAbilities Houston for our Mental Health Night Screening of Mind/Game previously adored by ReelAbilities 2019 attendees, brought to you by the Behavioral and Mental Health Services Department at Alexander JFS.

Film will be followed by a talkback featuring Dr. Lennie Waite and other special guests.

Mind/Game- The Unquiet Journey of Chamique Holdsclaw

Disabilities Represented: Mental Health

Director: Rick Goldsmith

Billed as the “female Michael Jordan”, basketball phenom Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three successive championships and became a WNBA number-one pick, Rookie of the Year and All-Star. But her hidden struggle with mental illness led to personal setbacks and a second career as a vocal mental health advocate.

Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: River Oaks Theatre - 2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

February 19, 2025

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: ReelFilm: Night 4

Event Schedule

6:30 PM: Doors Open
7:00 PM: Opening Remarks
7:15 PM: Screening of Films
8:20 PM: Talkback with Keith Wasserman- Star of Dear Ani and ReelArt 2025 Featured Artist

Join ReelAbilities Houston for night 4 of ReelFilm 2025 as we look into the lives and struggles of two incredible men with remarkable talents and stories.

‍Screenings will be followed by a talkback with this year's featured artist and star of the film "Dear Ani" Keith Wasserman

To My Father

Disability Represented: Deafness, Paralysis

Director: Sean Schiavolin

Description: In March 2022, Troy Kotsur became the first Deaf man to win the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for CODA. During his emotional acceptance speech, Troy paid tribute to his dad, his “hero”. To My Father is the story of Troy’s father’s influence on him beyond the speech that moved millions.

Dear Ani

Disability Represented: Mental Illness, Mental Health

Director: Micah Levin

Description: More than 20 years ago, an aspiring songwriter, Keith Wasserman, began a creatively obsessive correspondence with music icon Ani DiFranco, believing her reply letters were encoded in the lyrics of her songs. Dear Ani is an odyssey of music, art, and mania.

Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: River Oaks Theatre - 2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

February 20, 2025

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: ReelMusic

Celebrate music’s power to connect us, unite us, and lift us up at ReelMusic 2025, which showcases the talents of jazz, rock (and more!) musicians and performers who live with disabilities. ReelMusic 2025 will feature ReelMusicians from the past, new-to-the-Festival ReelMusicians, and our ReelMusic house band.

Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: White Oak Music Hall - 2915 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009

February 23, 2025

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: ReelArt For All and ReelCommunity

ReelArt For All

Visit the ReelArt exhibit and enjoy various family-friendly and interactive activities!

Come see the world through the eyes of artists from Celebration Company, an entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, and enjoy the works of this year's featured artist, Keith Wasserman.

Join us for art activities, brunchy bites, and a children's concert from featured artist Keith Wasserman

About Celebration Company

Our artists work with various mediums, such as painting, photography, and glass fusion. These allow the artist multiple ways to excel at expressing themselves when they otherwise would be unable to.

All of our artists are equal members of a profit share. This allows them to feel that their perspective is appreciated while actively contributing to their society.

To view the art virtually or to purchase products, please visit here

We provide life skills and meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities who-with joy and purpose-provide services and create products that celebrate the good of life.

Celebration Company is a faith-based program open to the Jewish and Greater Houston Community.

ReelCommunity
‍
Join Lead Sponsor TIRR Memorial Hermann as they showcase activities and resources available year-round to people of all ages, stages, and abilities.

Register Now

Cost: Free

Location: Sabine Street Studio - 1907 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007

Date: February 2-23, 2025

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