[NFBNJ] Fwd: Hybrid ReelAbilities Disability Film Festival Returns to Kean University This Week

Sun Feb 25 23:09:27 UTC 2024

*From:* ReelAbilities at Kean University <reelabilities at kean.edu>

*Date:* February 25, 2024 at 10:07:19 AM EST
*To:* Krystle - Eyes Like Mine <krystle at eyeslikemine.org>
*Subject:* *Hybrid ReelAbilities Disability Film Festival Returns to Kean
University This Week*

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*MEDIA CONTACT:*

Millie Gonzalez
Communication Strategist
(908) 577-8745
reelabilities at kean.edu
keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj

*Hybrid ReelAbilities Disability Film Festival Returns to Kean University
This Week!*

UNION, NJ - Kean University is set to host the ReelAbilities Film Festival
in a hybrid format this year, including in-person and virtual film
screenings. The festival, dedicated to celebrating the lives, stories and
artistic expressions of individuals with disabilities, features a variety
of award-winning films that spotlight the experiences and talents of the
disabled community.

>From Thursday, February 29 through Saturday, March 2, attendees have the
option to view the screenings at the North Avenue Academic Building on
Kean’s Union, New Jersey campus, or online. Tickets are $5 per screening.
For details on the festival lineup, trailers and tickets, visit
www.keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj
<https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=5rLh5A3NsLj-2FuNtSQv11hfjx9sauWtoJXOJNvA3QpHNCxxKgEwknhKlLE54lN14vvRL63Ds-2BFqYL0Dq8biPlZw-3D-3D8PvP_WHuo4pDrjxmFFv6Q4iVdb8CoVJ4e6XCPzDRqW10xAkHVmY88a5XBkkfixTWbTu1PwrERincvep-2Bwf9Wj756lt2rMMNPeXRfrmMcMBA7B3dKllsG90wHTfaSIC5f6Hm1AKLxonqFZMl0ju28HRv31jIO-2FvCeqrLTY-2B5cpuRd8MNAro-2BFSc-2FToSwTTLtOThGopslmQaCVV7JW5EbeePZzh2EAr1SbeZUkO7vKyD203BxEg68GccvCJCIgpE-2FEWheKQAfGGrRnD7INFt-2FPPAFdZclGwUcd-2FNcSkw4hfcAz8ixEXTgp3w-2FMFtZxYVERbW8-2FGH4AXDFku6ifB3ghDBFYOYf-2FpudPIV8tfGzoDIc-2B-2FtiLW9KD5kKP8L1bu1mUgMt0PRZnYhg3wEm8CUqE4VItLOg-3D-3D>
.

The festival this year will showcase a compelling selection of films,
including thought-provoking documentaries and powerful narratives, all
centered around or created by individuals with disabilities. Kean’s
festival is hosted by Kean Stage with support from campus and community
partners, including Eyes Like Mine, Inc. and the Spina Bifida Resource
Network.

"We're excited to bring this year's ReelAbilities Film Festival,
highlighting the remarkable talents and stories within the disability
community, to our campus and local communities,” said Steve Cochran,
manager of Kean Stage. “Our goal is to lean on the emotive power of film to
challenge perceptions, encourage inclusivity, and spark impactful
discussions around disability with audiences of all backgrounds."

The festival will feature five screenings over three days, starting with a
teen-oriented session on Thursday, February 29 at 10 a.m., and concluding
with two series of short films on Saturday, March 2. Highlights include the
feature film, *Jasmine Is a Star*, about a young girl with albinism
aspiring to be a model, and the documentary *Being Michelle*, which
narrates the challenges faced by a deaf woman in the prison system who
finds healing when she connects with a blind life coach who works in the
jail.

Each ReelAbilities at Kean screening will include post-screening
discussions with disabled individuals aimed at bringing the themes of the
films to life and fostering a sense of community among viewers from all
walks of life. Guests include Steve Way, actor/comedian from Hulu's *Ramy*
and the executive producer of the new film *Good Bad Things*, and others.

The statewide ReelAbilities New Jersey Film Festival is led by Montclair
State University and supported by the Kessler Foundation.

The North Avenue Academic Building at Kean University is located at 1000
Morris Avenue in Union, New Jersey. To purchase tickets and learn more
about the ReelAbilities Film Festival at Kean, visit
www.keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj
<https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=5rLh5A3NsLj-2FuNtSQv11hfjx9sauWtoJXOJNvA3QpHNCxxKgEwknhKlLE54lN14vvRL63Ds-2BFqYL0Dq8biPlZw-3D-3DmBKV_WHuo4pDrjxmFFv6Q4iVdb8CoVJ4e6XCPzDRqW10xAkHVmY88a5XBkkfixTWbTu1PwrERincvep-2Bwf9Wj756lt2rMMNPeXRfrmMcMBA7B3dKllsG90wHTfaSIC5f6Hm1AKLxonqFZMl0ju28HRv31jIO-2FvCeqrLTY-2B5cpuRd8MNAro-2BFSc-2FToSwTTLtOThGopslmQaCVV7JW5EbeePZzh2E7sYDeUVBAJWFj1NBXda7TEKDRB3MJiLqfUp6jvOGPINNx-2Bq3-2B8tKUTP34RmFyajQ6gOlBC6MfskWjHlAByhgbidh0fF-2F7nh1RfbukJb5ITjUtS5mSDlZQe5DxBEcc11xCQIjwNvaN-2BAzmojCRm09zjBo4bZP9ppQdLOl-2BqhN6Xv-2FbiLTRh8PMRZ7HQnA9tgQ-3D-3D>
.

*The ReelAbilities New Jersey Film Festival
<https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=BfhbQqXW3FcM1-2FWFiYaowmCGbRYMfT-2FQsoFtFazNmcxWarvL3Swfy4GX8h714STvKek4Fwuj4y11pjb69KkPCw-3D-3DQJiX_WHuo4pDrjxmFFv6Q4iVdb8CoVJ4e6XCPzDRqW10xAkHVmY88a5XBkkfixTWbTu1PwrERincvep-2Bwf9Wj756lt2rMMNPeXRfrmMcMBA7B3dKllsG90wHTfaSIC5f6Hm1AKLxonqFZMl0ju28HRv31jIO-2FvCeqrLTY-2B5cpuRd8MNAro-2BFSc-2FToSwTTLtOThGopslmQaCVV7JW5EbeePZzh2Ow9ByhmwgbUJrLAFPCyYN-2BwgV7uV2lep4wYtvs3lQ-2BVHqUIYukqXFFFVro2JEOoQdks-2Fb8V90cYoNZVF8WxuYjaGq0CM4RPs7pumVWwImET3PAKyxWU5LHu6A-2FpsoDnhw6DW9wFx3Au4FicVpX0hJIbqXKBfkD1mihnCe7sWDWSrkvNbeZ6XAPDJyro-2BH5tCA-3D-3D>
will be held online and in-person at the North Avenue Academic Building on
the campus of Kean University, from Thursday, February 29 through Saturday,
March 2. The festival features award-winning films that spotlight the
lives, experiences and talents of the disabled community. *

*ABOUT KEAN STAGE*

Kean Stage at Kean University educates, entertains and challenges audiences
by presenting high-quality programs that reflect the diversity of the
region and of the arts. These cultural offerings complement the
intellectual life of the classroom for our students, increase opportunities
for community engagement, and provide affordable access to the arts for New
Jersey residents. Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy a wide range
of professional theatre, Broadway tours, dance performances, concerts,
international films and family-friendly shows. In addition, Kean Stage
encourages University students to attend events, and provides several
opportunities to explore the performing arts through master classes,
workshops, lectures, and employment opportunities as ushers, backstage
technicians and box office staff. Visit www.keanstage.com
<https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=5rLh5A3NsLj-2FuNtSQv11hfjx9sauWtoJXOJNvA3QpHN26ae9gM5fO4sk1oblU5LKz0tL_WHuo4pDrjxmFFv6Q4iVdb8CoVJ4e6XCPzDRqW10xAkHVmY88a5XBkkfixTWbTu1PwrERincvep-2Bwf9Wj756lt2rMMNPeXRfrmMcMBA7B3dKllsG90wHTfaSIC5f6Hm1AKLxonqFZMl0ju28HRv31jIO-2FvCeqrLTY-2B5cpuRd8MNAro-2BFSc-2FToSwTTLtOThGopslmQaCVV7JW5EbeePZzh2LWbkJKcPTuCEFWa-2FWhT-2BIzD0463E66DmP3KhBLYl4bVmN0rmdWpUn0GXaXJ-2Bq9gc7cGLpU7uknMpvZA7t0lgepQ3Fo6IG1N3Bo6UVkFFa3EwDs7a1edjslBDuHlgNq8P5dDba42Oy3GTUYCUYfbsr3FDX2b8dTZdaa1ZjDDrc9MKqZ0-2Ffo4b8Yc6nHR1-2B9mKA-3D-3D>
.

*ABOUT KEAN UNIVERSITY*

Kean University, New Jersey’s urban research university, is a national
institution of higher education recognized for its diversity, innovation
and the social mobility of its graduates. Founded in 1855 as a teachers
college, Kean has evolved into a thriving research university that supports
students as they persist to graduation, give back to their communities and
launch successful careers. Kean’s six colleges offer more than 50
undergraduate programs, six doctoral degree programs and more than 70
options leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or
certifications, across a full range of academic subjects. With campuses in
Union, Toms River and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, as well
as Kean Online, the University provides students of all backgrounds an
affordable and accessible world-class education. Learn more at www.kean.edu.

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