A citywide festival in Houston intended to celebrate inclusion is set for Jan. 18 to Feb. 26.

The event

The ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival will celebrate its 14th year in 2026. The festival features film, music, art and speakers that honor the lives, stories and talents of people with disabilities.

Keynote speakers at the event will include:
  • Jim Abbott, an Olympic gold medalist and former Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Ali Stroker, a Tony Award-winning actress, author and advocate
"The ReelAbilities Film & Arts Festival celebrates creativity, inclusion and the power of storytelling to unite us," said Carl E. Josehart, CEO of the Joan and Stanford Alexander Jewish Family Service. "We’re grateful to our partners, artists, supporters and the entire community for helping bring these unforgettable stories to life and spark meaningful change across Houston."

Important dates to know


The schedule of events for the festival includes:
  • Jan. 18: ReelArt Opening Reception
  • Jan. 25: ReelCommunity
  • Jan. 29: ReelArt Special Exhibition Opening
  • Feb. 1: ReelArt For All
  • Feb. 3: ReelFilm Opening Night
  • Feb. 4: ReelWorkplace ($30 per person)
  • Feb. 10: ReelFilm Night 2
  • Feb. 11: ReelPeople ($30 per person)
  • Feb. 17: ReelFilm Mental Health Night
  • Feb. 24: ReelFilm Closing Night
  • Feb. 26: ReelMusic
The festival is free and open to the public. Registration for the event opened Dec. 18. Interested participants can visit the festival's website for more information.

Key players

The festival is presented by the Alexander Jewish Family Service Institute for Inclusion, a company that provides family and social services, and the Houston Office for People with Disabilities, a department within the city of Houston that serves as a primary advocate for the rights and needs of residents with disabilities.

Residents who will also help lead this year's festival include festival chairs Sandi Helfman Wolf, Rori Feldman, Jamie Wolf, Angel Ponce and Cindy Ivanhoe.