For the first time since 2020, ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival is making a triumphant return in-person for 2023. Produced by the Jewish Family Service Houston Alexander Institute for Inclusion in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the 10th anniversary of the citywide festival is set for February 5-23, 2023. Leading the 2023 Festival are Chairs Diana Codispoti and Michael McCulloch, and Co-Chairs Caroline Rosen Funk and Karen Harberg. Previously, Codispoti and McCulloch served as Co-Chairs for ReelAbilities Houston 2022. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Houstonians back in-person for the 2023 ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival,” said Carl E. Josehart, CEO of Jewish Family Service Houston. “There is always so much passion and energy for the Festival and we anticipate this year to be exceptional. We look forward to sharing more details about our spectacular lineup soon.” 

With the mission of bringing disability awareness and systemic change to the culture of Houston’s families, institutions, places of work and communities, the multi-week ReelAbilities Houston Festival reaches thousands with its message of inclusion through numerous art forms. The 2023 Festival will feature award-winning films, the ReelPeople: UP Abilities speakers event, ReelMusic Concert and ReelArt, showcasing the work of Celebration Company artists and educational programs in schools and workplaces around Houston. All art, film and music events are free and a full schedule of events will be announced at a later date. 

“My involvement with ReelAbilities Houston began in 2018 and to see the growth of the Festival since then has been wonderful,” said Chair Diana Codispoti. “ReelAbilities Houston presents a truly unique opportunity for all Houstonians to embrace inclusivity and get to know one another without judgment.” 

Codispoti, who was born with achondroplasia dwarfism, serves as Director of Global Corporate Engagement at Disability:IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. She is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion in the workplace and athletics. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, public speaking, obstacle course racing, and traveling. 

McCulloch began losing his vision in his late 20s due to glaucoma and has been legally blind since 2006, but this has never stopped him from achieving his dreams. A retired NASA engineer, he is an active advocate for the blind and low-vision community in Houston. In 2011, McCulloch founded the nonprofit organization, iBUG Today (iBlind Users Group), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the individual independence, social integration and educational development of the blind through accessible technology training. The compelling documentary “One Step at a Time” chronicles McCulloch’s journey to climb to Machu Picchu. 

“It’s wonderful to be part of such an empowering and meaningful event,” said McCulloch. “ReelAbilities Houston makes an impact that lasts well beyond the Festival itself.” 

Founded in 2007 in New York, and now presented in 17 cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, ReelAbilities Houston is made possible by city host, the JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion and produced in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities; founding partner TIRR Memorial Hermann; Cornerstone Home Lending Inc. and Joan and Stanford Alexander, lead sponsors; and the support of foundations, corporations, individual and in-kind sponsors. 

For more information about ReelAbilities Houston 2023, please visit www.ReelAbilitiesHouston.org. For media inquiries, please contact Julia Bernstein at julia@likemindstalk.com. Follow ReelAbilities Houston on Instagram and Facebook at @reelabilitieshouston. 

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For sponsorship information, contact Michelle Fredricks, JFS Manager of Corporate Relations and Business Development, at (713) 986-7849 or corporate@jfshouston.org. For general information, contact Andie Palagi, Festival Coordinator, at (713) 986-7808 or ReelAbilities@jfshouston.org.