Image courtesy of ReelAbilities Film Festival
"The Trouble With Mr. Doodle" is one of the films that will be shown as part of the film festival.
ReelAbilities Film Festival: Greater Washington, powered by the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, is proud to announce its full schedule for this year’s festival. Established in 2013, ReelAbilities is the region’s only film festival dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities.
ReelAbilities Film Festival: Greater Washington runs through March 8, 2026. The festival will present award-winning films at venues throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Beyond filmscreenings, the festival features panels, workshops, filmmaker education sessions, and community conversations, both online and at venues around Greater Washington.
With a focus on films that challenge stereotypes, promote accessibility, and address issues of equity in the arts, ReelAbilities continues to be an essential cultural event in the Greater Washington area.
See the full schedules listed by jurisdiction here.
Highlighted Films & Events
Pozez JCC Screening and Reception: “The Trouble with Mr. Doodle”
- Date & Time: Rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m.
- Location: Pozez JCC, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax
- Description: This intimate documentary showcases Sam Cox, better known as Mr. Doodle, whose compulsive doodling turned him into a global social media sensation. Stay after the screening for a 30-minute freestyle doodle experience.
Closing Night Film and Reception: “Lights, Camera, Friendship on the Spectrum”
- Date & Time: Sunday, March 8, 3 p.m.
- Location: Pozez JCC, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax
- Description: This engaging docuseries follows a group of young adults on the autism spectrum who embark on transformative workshops and adventures under the guidance of instructors from the entertainment industry — including Joey Travolta, Susan Clausen, and Jennifer Cook (“Love on the Spectrum”).
Kids Changing the Narrative: “Deaf Giants” and “Comedy Against the Odds”
- Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, Md.
- Description: This powerful screening features two inspiring short documentaries that center young voices and challenge assumptions about disability, identity, and representation.
Special Limited Screening: “Second Wind”
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 7 p.m.
- Location: Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- Description: “Second Wind” follows four amputee soldiers and a severely wounded female sniper as they embark on a transformative expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Ticket Information & Access
All ReelAbilities events are free of charge, and tickets for individual screenings and events are available now on the ReelAbilities Film Festival: Greater Washington’s website at https://reelabilities.org/greaterwash.
Accessibility accommodations such as closed captioning, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation will be available at many events to ensure full participation.
