Inclusive festival announces chairs and ReelPeople speakers<\/p>\n
The ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival, presented by the Alexander Jewish Family Service Institute for Inclusion \u2013 in collaboration with the Houston Office for People with Disabilities \u2013 is set for Sunday, Jan. 18, through Thursday, Feb. 26. Leading the 2026 Festival are chairs Jamie Wolf, Sandi Helfman Wolf and Rori Feldman. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe ReelAbilities Film & Arts Festival celebrates creativity, inclusion and the power of storytelling to unite us,\u201d said Carl E. Josehart, CEO of the Joan and Stanford Alexander JFS. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to our partners, artists, supporters and the entire community for helping bring these unforgettable stories to life and spark meaningful change across Houston.\u201d<\/p>\n
ReelAbilities Houston is committed to promoting disability awareness and creating systemic change within Houston\u2019s families, workplaces, institutions and communities. Through a variety of art forms, the Festival shares a powerful message of inclusion with thousands of people each year.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Festival features award-winning films, the ReelPeople speakers event, ReelCommunity programs, ReelWorkplace initiatives, the ReelMusic concert and ReelArt, which highlights artwork by Celebration Company artists.<\/p>\n
All film, art, and music events are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n
Keynote speakers for ReelPeople 2026 include Jim Abbott, Olympic gold medalist and former Major League Baseball pitcher, and Ali Stroker, Tony Award-winning actress, author and advocate.<\/p>\n
Abbott, who was born without a right hand, defied expectations from an early age to become one of the most accomplished athletes in history. He played 10 seasons in MLB, including a memorable mid-1990s turn with the New York Yankees, highlighted by his historic 1993 no-hitter. Since retiring, he has dedicated his life to advocating for the limb difference community, proving determination can overcome any obstacle.<\/p>\n
Stroker made history as the first actor who uses a wheelchair to perform on Broadway. Her electrifying performance in \u201cOklahoma!\u201d earned her a Tony Award and international acclaim. Stroker has also starred in celebrated productions such as \u201cSpring Awakening,\u201d and appeared in major television series, including \u201cOzark\u201d and \u201cOnly Murders in the Building.\u201d Beyond her work as a performer, Stroker is a dedicated author and advocate, widely recognized for her empowering message: \u201cTurning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
ReelAbilities Houston is made possible by founding partner TIRR Memorial Hermann; lead sponsors, the Joan and Stanford Alexander Family; and through the support of foundations, corporations, individual donors and in-kind sponsors.<\/p>\n