The Ability Foundation, a national cross disability organisation based in Chennai, announced the launch of AbilityFEST 2025 - India International Disability Film Festival, at the press meet held on Wednesday. The meet was held with the jury members comprising AR Rahman, Simran, Madhan Karky, Mohammed Shams Aalam Shaikh, Tinkesh (fitness consultant), along with the festival director Jayshree Raveendran and actor and festival chairperson Revathy.
The organisers describe AbilityFEST as more than just a celebration of cinema. It underlines the importance of access - whether it is subtitles/captioning, audio description or accessible venues. It is a space for advocacy, awareness, and dialogue. Over four days, audiences can explore a rich mix of award-winning short films, documentaries, and features from around the world. Each film has been thoughtfully selected to challenge outdated perceptions, encourage empathy, and start conversations — whether you're a filmmaker, film lover, student, family member, or person with a disability.
Addressing the press, AR Rahman said that being a part of a jury of such festivals gives him an idea of what the society is like and the films tell what is expected of the society. "In a way, we are all disabled. We aren't able to control anger, so we are disabled. We commit vices, so we are disabled," he says, thanking them for making him a jury.
Describing the festival as something that is not to create sympathy but to advocate the need to walk together and create an inclusive society, Revathy says, "We have watched some amazing films. The festival aims to make films accessible to all as cinema is the most popular medium."
This year's festival is themed “60 Seconds To Fame—All India One Minute Film Competition on Disability”. The entrants need to make an impactful film, which is just a minute long. Simran, who is a part of the jury, says it is quite a task to convey a story in that short duration. "Every film we picked was very well-made and thoroughly researched. All films were motivational and contain a good message. I am excited about the festival."
In addition to Indian films, this year’s international line-up includes standout titles such as Upside Down (Italy), Ab, Bad, Khak, Nan and Abrash (Iran), Zomervacht (Netherlands), Ania z Piekielnika (Poland), Dancer (Mongolia), Working Differently (UK), and Daruma, Thunder Roles! The World of Blind Baseball and the heartwarming animated feature Luki and the Lights! from the USA.
That apart, the festival will also witness the screenings of Tourist Family (Tamil) and Sitaare Zameen Par (Hindi) with audio descriptions, and a team interaction with the makers of both films.
Launched in 2005, AbilityFEST is a pioneering event in the country. Now in its ninth edition, AbilityFEST 2025 returns to PVR-INOX Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai, from 7 to 10 July 2025, with a bold and diverse lineup of films that spotlight disability in all its forms.
All screenings are free with four shows daily. Registration is mandatory at https://forms.gle/2fTfNm3LUrnSCAWa9.