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:
Star of AMC’s Hit Show ‘Breaking Bad’, RJ Mitte
To Top List of Big Name Celebrities Attending
The 2017 Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival
Best known for his role of Walter ‘Flynn’ White Jr. for five riveting seasons of AMC’s Emmy and Golden
Globe Award-winning thriller, “Breaking Bad”, and the handsome face of GAP’s International 2014 “Lived
In Summer” Campaign, RJ Mitte will be joining a list of Hollywood stars, dignitaries, and ReelAbilities film
VIPs to join Greater Cincinnati in celebrating difference at the region’s largest film festival, the 2017
Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival organized by LADD – March 9 to 12 at the Duke Energy Convention
Center.
"Growing up, I was never taught to use the words ‘can’t’ or ‘won’t.’ I was taught to believe that I can
achieve anything I want and that disability does not define me. The Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival
focuses on how differences strengthen us individually and as a community and I'm excited to be working
with them.”
-RJ Mitte
Like his character in “Breaking Bad”, Mitte, has cerebral palsy, however, milder than his character. He had to learn to walk on crutches and slur his speech for the role. Following that show, he was on the big screen with a lead role portraying a character without a disability in “Dixieland” which premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. That same year he walked the runway as part of Men’s Fashion Week in Milan, Berlin and New York City, taking the fashion an entertainment industry by storm. Additionally, Mitte’s television credits include SHOWTIME’s “Weeds”, NBC’s “Vegas” and CW’s “Everybody Hates Chris.” He is a costar on ABC Family’s primetime hit show, “Switched at Birth”. To heighten awareness and education of his own issues with bullying and prejudice, Mitte is an official ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Hospitals for Children; and is the celebrity face for the #CutTheBull Campaign in support of children with disabilities.
The public is invited for a 10:00 am Welcome To Cincinnati question and answer event with Mitte and other stars (see below for list) that will officially kick off the Film Festival on March 9. At NOON that day, Mitte will be the Keynote Speaker at the Festival’s Premiere Luncheon. Tickets will go on sale at the end of January.
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 40 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.
Plus…local VIPs such as Cincinnati legend Nick Clooney and baseball’s fan favorite, Teddy Kremer
Other Stars Appearing At Festival
(Note: More VIPs may be added before the Festival.)
Ali Stroker
An actress known for her role in Glee, in 2015 Stroker made history by becoming the first Broadway
actress in a wheelchair to appear on a Broadway stage
Richard Bernstein
A Disability Rights Attorney, he made history when he was sworn into office, becoming the nation’s first
state Supreme Court Justice for the state of Michigan.
Sam Suchmann and Mattie Zufelt
These two best friends from Rhode Island met in Special Olympics and are filmmakers of the wildly
popular, kick ass movie, Spring Break Zombie Massacre.
Rich Clifford
Clifford is a retired NASA astronaut and the first person to conduct a six-hour spacewalk while docked to
an orbiting space station. He did that during his third space launch after learning he has Parkinson’s
disease
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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