Ability Foundation, a national cross disability organisation based in Chennai, announced “AbilityFEST 2025 – India International Disability Film Festival”, that followed the Jury Meet of the “60 Seconds To Fame – All India One Minute Film Competition on Disability”. The shortlisted films will be screened during AbilityFEST 2025.
Jury members A.R Rahman, musician- composer; Simran, actor: Madhan Karky, lyricist and screenwriter, Mohammed Shams Aalam Shaikh, international para swimmer and Tinkesh, life coach and fitness consultant, spoke on the occasion. Gp Capt Vijayakumar, Executive Director, Madras Management Association, process validators for 60 seconds to Fame competition also shared his comments. Festival director Jayshree Raveendran and Festival Chairperson Revathy Asha Kelunni introduced AbilityFEST 2025 – India International Disability Film Festival : Cinema by, with and about people with disabilities.
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 7th to 10th 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. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Since its inception, Ability Foundation has stood by the simple yet powerful belief: people with disabilities belong everywhere — not on the margins, not to be set apart, but to be included fully and equitably in every sphere of life. Whether in education or employment, in art or everyday life, the goal has never been special treatment, but equal opportunity and dignity of access.
AbilityFEST is 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 the course of 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 Each film has been thoughtfully selected to challenge outdated perceptions, encourage empathy, and start conversations — whether you're a filmmaker, film lover, student, family member, or person with a disability.
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.
A key highlight is the first public screening with audio description for the blind of the 2025 Tamil blockbuster TOURIST FAMILY. We are delighted that the team of the Tourist Family film will be present to share the experience. We are excited to present the heart warming film Ahaan (2019), the first Hindi film to cast a lead actor with Down syndrome. The audience will have the chance to hear from director Nikhil Pherwani himself.
The festival will come to a close with a special screening of SITAARE ZAMEEN PAR, featuring a live discussion with director R.S. Prasanna and writer Divy Nidhi Sharma. Their appearance offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about the creative process behind one of the most talked-about films of the year.
AbilityFEST 2025 is not just about films — it’s about connection, visibility, and the power of storytelling. These are stories that move us, challenge us, and remind us that disability is not a separate world — it’s part of all our lives.