Museum of disABILITY to present film, speaker series

The Museum of disABILITY, a project of People Inc., will host the fourth annual disABILITIES film festival and speaker series Oct. 17-18 at the Market Arcade Theatre, 639 Main St., Buffalo.

The film festival targets students, educators, families, human service professionals, self advocates and moviegoers, and the goal is to provide entertainment and information while exploring issues faced by people with disabilities.

The schedule of the films and speakers is as follows:

• 7-10 p.m. Oct. 17, "Mozart & The Whale," rated PG-13 for language. The story is of a developing romance between Donald, a man who has Asperger's syndrome, and Isabelle, a woman who has autism. The film is based on the true story of Jerry and Mary Newport. The speaker is John Elder Robinson, New York Time's best-selling author.

• 12:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 18, "Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy," unrated. Two lifelong friends and disability advocates are determined to live independently. The speakers are Diana Braun, president of People First; Kathy Conour, disability rights advocate and writer; and Alice Elliot, director of Welcome Change Productions.

• 3-5 p.m. Oct. 18, "The Collector of Bedford Street," unrated. Academy Award-nominated documentary that takes an intimate look at Larry Selman, an activist and fundraiser who has a developmental disability. The speakers will be Selman and Elliot, director and Selman's neighbor.

For information, visit the Web site www.disabilityfilmfest.org or call 817-7261.

People Inc. is headquartered in Amherst.