Film Screening: Tell Them You Love Me

Presented as part of The 16th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York

Free at the Factory

Free at the Factory community series

The 16th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York | Tell Them You Love Me

Friday, April 5 at 7:00PM
Film to be followed by a moderated conversation with the film’s director Nick August-Perna

FREE

103 minutes (film running time)


Chelsea Factory is pleased to partner with The 16th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York—committed to celebrating disability through film—for a special documentary premiere and director Q&A.


Tell Them You Love Me
Dir. Nick August-Perna
Documentary | English | US | 2023 | 103 min
New York City Premiere

This true-crime documentary follows the story of an esteemed university professor who becomes embroiled in a controversial affair with Derrick Johnson, a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy, leading to a criminal trial that challenges our perceptions of disability and the nature of consent. Through exclusive footage and interviews, this feature documentary weaves a riveting and nuanced story about communication, race, and sex.


About ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York
Founded in 2007 by the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York is the largest festival in the country dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. The weeklong festival is renowned for its wide-ranging international film selection, riveting conversations, and performances, presented annually in dozens of venues across the New York metropolitan area. In 2010, ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York expanded into an international program, presenting its one-of-a-kind programming in cities throughout the United States, Canada, and Central America.

Explore the full festival lineup


About Nick August-Perna (Filmmaker)
Nick is an award-winning director, producer, and editor whose work has been nominated for the Emmys, the Duponts, and the Academy Awards. His directorial work aims to present stories that challenge the shape and power of the documentary form, to inspire discourse, and to build empathy.

His latest feature documentary, Tell Them You Love Me, won the jury award for best documentary at the Hamptons International Film festival, and was released in the UK in February 2024 to critical acclaim.


About Katrin Haldeman (Moderator)
Katrin is the current Director of Marketing and Communications at Disability Rights New York - a non-profit organization that offers free legal and advocacy support to individuals with disabilities. Since joining DRNY in 2017, Katrin has played a vital role in developing and executing a comprehensive marketing strategy to enhance the organization’s visibility and outreach.

Katrin has successfully raised awareness about DRNY’s mission, programs, and services through many avenues. She hosts their podcast, “Empire State of Rights,” where they discuss disability rights issues in New York State.

Katrin’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in helping DRNY achieve its marketing goals and establish its reputation as a leading organization in the field of disability rights.


Accessibility:
ReelAbilities strives to include all people. All films are presented with open captions, and all venues are accessible to mobility devices.

Chelsea Factory is fully accessible to mobility devices. The film will be presented with open captions, and post screening conversation will be accompanied by ASL interpretation. 

Audio description and CART are available upon request. Please contact Chelsea Factory by March 21 to request any of the above, or other required accommodations.

Health and Safety Protocols:
Chelsea Factory will be implementing the following procedures to help ensure the health and safety of our patrons, staff, and artists:

  • We practice contactless ticketing and will be checking patrons in by name (no need to show printed or digital tickets).

  • Masks are optional.

  • While Chelsea Factory strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19, proof of vaccination is not currently required for audience entrance to performances and public programs.

Click here for our full Health and Safety Protocols.

Nick August-Perna (Filmmaker)

Katrin Haldeman (Moderator)