BSAF 2018: ReelAbilities Boston Film Festival, Day Two

IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE! As we told you a couple weeks back, spring is the busiest season for film festivals in Metro Boston. But this year is especially crazy, because FIVE of the festivals are running all or part of their programming on the SAME WEEKEND! So you have a ton of choices to make. And now all of them are open and running with three more starting today.

So…lets get started kiddies! Boston Springs A Fethival 2018 is officially underway, and we’ll have info for all the various festivals and their schedules every day, so be sure to keep your browser turned to eCinemaBoston.com for all the latest info!

ReelAbilities Boston showcases those with disabilities and the way people overcome them. It’s a unique film festival concept that has been happening in New York since 2007, and beginning with Cincinnati in 2012, has now spread to a national network of local festivals.

Unfortunately, last night’s opening night got screwed up by winter storm Toby, which actually didn’t do anything until hours later, but it was a good thing that it was called, just in case. Opening night film “Sanctuary” will now play Sunday, we’ll have info on it again then.

Tonight’s screening is the film Unrest from director Jennifer Brea. Here’s the official synopsis from the ReelAbilites Boston website:

Jennifer Brea is a Harvard PhD student with a taste for adventure, married to the love of her life, when suddenly her body begins to fail her. Jennifer starts filming her darkest moments, chronicling her journey, including her diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As she searches for answers online, Jennifer connects with other CFS sufferers across the globe and films their stories. A personal documentary that asks us to examine the stigma associated with an illness that affects millions and still has no cure.

The film was shortlisted for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards in 2017, not an easy accomplishment at all! There will be a Q&A with director Jennifer Brea via Skype following the screening, which is being co-presented by Bright Lights Series at Emerson College & Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association.

Screening takes place at the Bright Family Screening Room at the Arts/Emerson Paramount Theater in Downtown Crossing. The screening is free, but you MUST register to attend – you can do so at https://prod1.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=152839~a95f8067-df7a-4ca0-a002-f8d55750c42c&epguid=e9e6017f-5eb3-4884-80c4-4c0c213753a2&

ReelAbilties Boston is an excellent way to celebrate life in all its glory – films presented by this festival are usually uplifting and truly magical, so know if you’re headed for a film here, you’re going to come out thinking a LOT about what you’ve seen, and also probably with a smile on your face…

For full information on this years’ films and festivities, visit the ReelAbilities Boston website at http://boston.reelabilitieslegacy.org!

Tomorrow: More great films from ReelAbilities Boston! Check back for all the latest info Friday morning! And don’t forget – in May, eCB will debut it’s 2018 Boston Springs A Fethival SuperGuide, with info on all the festivals and the films therein – don’t forget to check back with eCB to pick up your download in early May! And eCB’s sister podcast Subject:CINEMA will be devoting segments to the entire BSAF season all throughout May – be sure to check it out at http://subjectcinema.com!