As interest of the art of filmmaking continues to grow in the Toledo area, film festivals have formed and and more opportunities have been created to teach people how to project themselves into films. The upcoming CommUNITY Film Festival, February 28th at the Maumee Indoor Theatre, will highlight short films made by, about, and for people with disabilities, with a red carpet walk for all of the filmmakers, and performers from the iDance Adaptive Performing Arts Center. 
Bethany Wissler, winner of the Promoting Inclusion Award in the 2015 CommUNITY Film Fest, proudly walked the festival’s red carpet.
Reel connections
The CommUNITY Film Festival is a joint project between the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo, Reel Ohio, and The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio. Lisa Comes, of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, another group involved in the festival, explained how the CommUNITY formed, “The idea … came from a few people working for the Lucas County Board of DD who felt that the community needed to know the amazing ways that people with disabilities contribute to the community at large.”
This is the second year for the festival, which last March had 17 short film entries and over 300 in attendance. Comes said that last year’s event was so inspiring and popular it encouraged a second year. “There was laughter, tears and amazing energy at the theater and we knew it needed to happen again.”
United We Film
Last November a filmmaking workshop was held that included members of Reel Ohio and film teachers from the Toledo School for The Arts. “The act of linking people with disabilities with filmmakers supports our mission of inclusion and provides valuable experiences for all involved,” explained Comes.
Last year’s short films are available on the CommUNITY website, including the award winners in the categories Celebrating Everyday Lives of People with Disabilities, Promoting Inclusion, Inspiring Audiences, plus the Special Recognition Award for the Best Independently Made Movie.
3-5pm Sunday, February 28
Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant St., Maumee
communityfilmfest.org
Free
