There's not much more delightful than watching films from the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge find life after the challenge. Such is the case with the just under 5-minute Disabled AF, a 2024 film challenge participant screening this week as part of the 2025 Slamdance LA Film Festival. 

The challenge is an annual five-day competition now in its 12th year. Filmmakers compromise an under five-minute film on a specific genre in an effort to amplify and change the way society defines and perceives disability. 

The film stars Jessica Mikayla as Jess, a young woman who is getting ready to move out with the help of friends Marsha (Marsha Elle) and Imani (Cashmere Jasmine). The two friends are definitely down to help, or at least that seems true until it becomes apparent there's a traitor amongst them. 

There's not a lot of the film challenge films that tackle a more invisible disability. That's the direction we go with Disabled AF, a film that enters the world of migraines. The crew found common ground in exploring and educating migraines while also telling a meaningful story. As is often true for film challenge films, the cast and crew utilized authentic storytelling to bring this film to life. Thus, there's a sense of urgency throughout the film adding a sense of honesty, vulnerability, and transparency throughout the film. The team has shared publicly that throughout the film's production, they had to learn to rely on each other and ask for help - a common theme throughout the film. The film features an ensemble of Black actors beautifully bringing to life a story of Black friendship and interdependence, a pretty glorious thread through an already glorious film. 

Disabled AF features a terrific ensemble cast with a genuine chemistry that feels believable throughout. Lensing by Jake Glaviano is effective throughout and there's just an awful lot to love about this film. If you get a chance, check it out. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic