<div><b>From:</b> ReelAbilities at Kean University <<a href="mailto:reelabilities@kean.edu" target="_blank">reelabilities@kean.edu</a>><br></div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="auto"><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>Date:</b> February 25, 2024 at 10:07:19 AM EST<br><b>To:</b> Krystle - Eyes Like Mine <<a href="mailto:krystle@eyeslikemine.org" target="_blank">krystle@eyeslikemine.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>Hybrid ReelAbilities Disability Film Festival Returns to Kean University This Week</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e8R1WbpO-rWXVty5CfeUkVG60DUK6x1hx_pAs9BNm3unGAElEsFaor65uvm7MA5cJiDIRnPklVabE1Kc2gh6jnZvPIygC6im1RI1ekVb3_1KezJyH8TL6-GAa4cgYEsZtOvntZvx" width="681" height="158" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">
<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong><font size="4">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</font></strong></span></p><p><font size="4"><b>MEDIA CONTACT:<br></b></font></p><p dir="ltr"><font size="4">Millie Gonzalez<br>Communication Strategist<br>(908) 577-8745<br><a href="mailto:reelabilities@kean.edu" target="_blank">reelabilities@kean.edu</a><br><a href="http://keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj" target="_blank">keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj</a></font></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Hybrid ReelAbilities Disability Film Festival Returns to Kean University This Week!</strong></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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 <a href="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" target="_blank">www.keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj</a>.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">"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."</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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, <em>Jasmine Is a Star</em>, about a young girl with albinism aspiring to be a model, and the documentary <em>Being Michelle</em>, 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. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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 <em>Ramy</em> and the executive producer of the new film <em>Good Bad Things</em>, and others. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The statewide ReelAbilities New Jersey Film Festival is led by Montclair State University and supported by the Kessler Foundation. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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 <a href="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" target="_blank">www.keanstage.com/reelabilitiesnj</a>. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><img id="m_4713310323975832321m_4605618643920117698m_-4586427276753945895image_5599" src="https://meltwater-apps-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/5d8293bb4aa0090017efd13e/blobid0_1708873139505.jpg" width="650" height="366"></span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The <a href="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" target="_blank">ReelAbilities New Jersey Film Festival</a> will be held <span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"></span>o<span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">nline</span> and <span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">in-person </span>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. </span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:14pt">ABOUT KEAN STAGE</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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 <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=5rLh5A3NsLj-2FuNtSQv11hfjx9sauWtoJXOJNvA3QpHN26ae9gM5fO4sk1oblU5LKz0tL_WHuo4pDrjxmFFv6Q4iVdb8CoVJ4e6XCPzDRqW10xAkHVmY88a5XBkkfixTWbTu1PwrERincvep-2Bwf9Wj756lt2rMMNPeXRfrmMcMBA7B3dKllsG90wHTfaSIC5f6Hm1AKLxonqFZMl0ju28HRv31jIO-2FvCeqrLTY-2B5cpuRd8MNAro-2BFSc-2FToSwTTLtOThGopslmQaCVV7JW5EbeePZzh2LWbkJKcPTuCEFWa-2FWhT-2BIzD0463E66DmP3KhBLYl4bVmN0rmdWpUn0GXaXJ-2Bq9gc7cGLpU7uknMpvZA7t0lgepQ3Fo6IG1N3Bo6UVkFFa3EwDs7a1edjslBDuHlgNq8P5dDba42Oy3GTUYCUYfbsr3FDX2b8dTZdaa1ZjDDrc9MKqZ0-2Ffo4b8Yc6nHR1-2B9mKA-3D-3D" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline">www.keanstage.com</span></a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14pt"><strong>ABOUT KEAN UNIVERSITY</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">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 <a href="http://www.kean.edu" target="_blank">www.kean.edu</a>.</span></p>
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