Program Series: Community Conversations 

Disabilities in Film: The Impact of Representation

Special guests representing Community Partners of the museum will discuss the impact of authentic disability representation in film, the current state of disabled talent in front of and behind the camera, areas to improve, how to support, and more. 

Free with Museum Admission

Fri, Jul 11, 2025

Community Conversation Disabilities in Film

Know Before You Go

  • Plan your Visit
  • Accessibility

Related Events

More in Series

Disabilities, Representation, and Film 2026

Special Events

Disabilities, Representation, and Film 2026

In celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the history-making civil rights law introduced in July 1990, the Academy Museum presents a day of short films, tours, and a live performance, all to bring awareness to disability, representation, and accessibility in Film.

The program is free with your general admission ticket. Access to the screening, tours, and performance is included.

Schedule

10am-5pm | Disabilities, Representation, and Film Sensory Session | LL1, TMT Lobby

  • Explore moviemaking at the Academy Museum through a drop-in, sensory-friendly experience. Examine movie props and other objects through touch as well as a speaker that allows visitors to feel mechanical vibrations from sound.

11am | Short films by neurodivergent filmmakers | Accessible screening | David Geffen Theater

Three short films by neurodivergent filmmakers from the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and Marvels of Media. Screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. A sensory-friendly screening with open captions, dimmed lights, and lower volume for neurodivergent viewers. Free with general admission.

  • Breaking Normal | DIRECTED BY: Jessica Cabot | WRITTEN BY: Nicole Betz | WITH: Tal Anderson, Anthony Purnell, Vickie Anderson | 2024 | 6 min. | USA | Color | English | DCP

  • The Question | DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Coby Bird | WITH: Coby Bird | 2023 | 4 min. | USA | Color | English | DCP

  • The Fish Don't Care When It Rains | DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Jennifer Msumba | WITH: Jennifer Msumba | 2020 | 5 min. | USA | Color | English | DCP

Noon | ASL Interpreted Tour | Studio Ghibli’s PONYO | L2, Wanda Gallery

  • A museum educator and ASL interpreter lead a tour of Studio Ghibli’s PONYO exhibition. Free with general admission.

2pm | Visual Description Tour | Studio Ghibli’s PONYO | L2, Wanda Gallery

  • A museum educator hosts a visual description tour of Studio Ghibli’s PONYO exhibition. Free with general admission.

3pm | Live performance | TBD | L1, Sidney Poitier Grand Lobby

  • Join us for a live performance by members of the disabled community. General admission ticket not required.