Event Information
Date:
November 8-9, 2025
Location:
Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311)
Des Moines Art Center (4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312)
Cost: Free! Registration is required.
Accommodations: Live-captioning in English (CART) and American Sign Language will be provided. Other accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.
Event Summary
Founded in New York City in 2007, ReelAbilities challenges stereotypes, celebrates authentic disability representation in movies, and expands opportunities for disabled creators worldwide. The 2025 Des Moines festival is “A Taste of ReelAbilities,” screening a combination of features and shorts over two days — first at The Harkin Institute, then at the Des Moines Art Center, showing different films each day. All film screenings will be followed by a conversation with individuals from the disability community related to the specific content of the films.
All films will provide open captions and have audio description capabilities.
In addition to films being shown at the Des Moines Art Center and The Harkin Institute, The Varsity Cinema will present a related film on Wednesday, November 5, leading up to “A Taste of ReelAbilities” on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9.
This program is supported by the Principal® Foundation.
Film Schedule
Saturday, November 8, 2025 – 5:00 p.m.
Tom and Ruth Harkin Center
My Own Normal, 2024
Director: Alexander Freeman
Run Time: 57 minutes
Description: The latest documentary from disabled filmmaker Alexander Freeman captures his own unexpected journey into parenthood prompting difficult questions, and confronting common assumptions about autonomy, self-determination, and independence along the way.
17%, 2024
Director: Aaron Johnson
Run Time: 13 minutes
Description: Entrepreneur Collette Divitto, who has Down syndrome, transforms workplace culture through her successful cookie company. Addressing the 83% unemployment rate among disabled people, she builds an inclusive business model built on individual strengths rather than perceived deficits. The film follows Collette’s unique approach to hiring and workplace culture, showcasing the ripple effects of her leadership throughout the business community.
Dreamcaster, 2023
Director: William Maher
Run Time: 27 minutes
Description: With the help of technology, Cameron Black, a blind sports enthusiast, fulfills his dream of becoming a sportscaster. Cameron’s passion for sports grows, leading to an opportunity to broadcast live games, showcasing how technological advances improve both accessibility and opportunity.
Sunday, November 9, 2025 – 1:00 p.m.
Des Moines Art Center
Millstone, 2023
Director: Peter Hoffman Kimball
Run Time: 15 minutes
Description: A desperate, grieving couple thinks they have found the only therapist who can help them save their marriage – but his methods might be worse than anyone imagined. Featuring an entirely Deaf cast, Millstone is a dark thriller, filled with twists and turns, that offers a fresh, authentic perspective on the complexities of the human experience.
As You Are, 2023
Director: Daisy Friedman
Run Time: 14 minutes
Description: When an interabled queer couple spend the night together for the first time, they must confront their complex relationships with desire, sexuality, bodily autonomy, and what it means truly to love another person.
Comedy Against the Odds, 2023
Director: Suzanne Luna
Run Time: 30 minutes
Description: Ten-year-old Austin Eletto brings his personal perspective to the stand-up comedy stage, using humor to bridge identity and build connection. Through his witty observations and sharp timing, Austin crafts material that resonates with audiences while challenging assumptions about autism. The documentary reveals how comedy can be a medium for authentic self-expression and community building.
Coming Out Autistic, 2022
Director: Steven Fraser
Run Time: 4 minutes
Description: Queer coming out stories are well documented, while telling friends, family, co-workers, and strangers that you are autistic is shown less often. But what is the experience of telling the world that you are autistic when you also identify as LGBTQ+?
We are the Athletes, 2024
Director: Angel Gates Fonesca
Run Time: 37 minutes
Description: Through the experiences of Farryl, a young skier, and Matt, a veteran, the film explores how The Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, NY, creates new possibilities for athletic expression, and showcases innovative approaches to athletic training and competition. Their stories highlight how technical creativity and community support make diverse participation in sports possible.
Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 271-3623
Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.