For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Lisa Desatnik, 513-984-5474
Public Contact:
or 513-861-5233
LINK FOR B-ROLL of the 2015 Film Festival:
LINK for MEDIA PAGE with VIP images and word documents:
Public Invited To Festival Kick-Off
Welcome to Cincinnati: Meet The Stars Q&A Event
The public and media are invited to help kick off the Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival organized by LADD at a Welcome to Cincinnati: Meet the Stars Q&A Event with many of the Festival’s big name celebrities including RJ Mitte, best known for his role in AMC’s Award winning thriller, “Breaking Bad”. From 10 am to 10:45 am on Thursday, March 9, at the Duke Energy Convention Center, celebrities will be on a stage in the lobby area of the Duke Energy Center answering questions. Other VIPs who will be participating include: Jamie Brewer, Lauren Potter, Kurt Yaeger, John Lawson, Nic Novicki, Michael Schlitz, Bryan Anderson, Stephen and Elizabeth Wampler, and Boone Cutler.
(For more information on the VIPs, please see below.)
The Festival’s Premiere Luncheon will begin at Noon that day and will feature RJ Mitte as the keynote speaker and comments from other Festival celebrities.
Thousands are expected for the four-day, Hollywood style film screening extravaganza that will benefit local nonprofit organizations whose work is enriching and strengthening the lives of individuals who have disabilities, their families and their communities. It will include star-studded parties and events, workshops, speakers, conversation sports and more than 60 exciting films that show case the stories, lives and art of people who experience disabilities. Attendees will be able to learn how to act, model, tell their story, see entertainment, and create films on their smart phone. The goal is that people will leave having been uplifted with a new perception of difference, appreciation and welcoming of each other.
Stars to Participate In Festival Kick Off Events
(Welcome To Cincinnati, Premiere Luncheon and More)
Jamie Brewer
Known for her role of Adelaide ‘Addie” Lagdon in American Horror Story, she is also the first
model with Down syndrome to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Lauren Potter
As an actress, Lauren is best known for her popular role as Becky Jackson in the popular television show, Glee. However, she also devotes much time to advocating and raising awareness for disability related causes..and against bullying.
John Lawson
Lawson is a television, film and commercial PWD actor with past roles in the long running
television crime dramas, "Law and Order," "Law and Order: SVU and FX AMERICAN HORROR
STORY: FREAK SHOW.
Kurt Yaeger
A former BMX rider turned actor, Yaeger is a below the knee amputee. His most recent TV credit s
include the fan favorite character on FX’s hit show Sons Of Anarchy, the new Cinemax show Quarry and
a new major recurring role on CBS’ hit NCIS: Los Angeles.
Nic Novicki
Nic has toured around the country as a standup comedian. Included in his acting credits are tv shows:
The Sopranos, Private Practice, and Austin and Ally. He is also a producer and founder/director of the
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
Michael Schlitz
Schlitz is a retired US Army platoon seargeant, Gary Sinise Foundation ambassador and purple
Heart recipient.
Bryan Anderson
Anderson is a retired US Army sargaent and Gary Sinise Foundation ambassador and purple
heart recipient.
Stephen and Elizabeth Wampler
As the world and his family watched, Steve Wampler who was born with a severe form of cerebral palsy,
pulled himself with one hand 20,000 times in six days to conquer the world’s biggest rock, El Capitan in
Yosemite National Park. The documentary of his journey was one of the 2015 Cincinnati ReelAbilities
Films.
Boone Cutler
Cutler is an author, columnist, music video director and Warfighter Rights leader that has become the first nationally recognized radio talkshow personality who is also a combat veteran from the current war.In 2012, Boone was diagnosed with Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease secondary to a blast-injury in Iraq and is the national spokesperson for the Warfighter Rights’ Movement.
Plus…local VIPs such as Cincinnati legend Nick Clooney and baseball’s fan favorite, Teddy Kremer
About the Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival Organizer:
Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD, Inc.) is a 41 year old Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization that is guided by the belief that every person has ability and value, and that there is great strength in diversity. LADD works to propel the inclusion and success of nearly 500 adults in Hamilton County who have developmental disabilities through housing and employment options, life skills training, and advocacy leadership.
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