Two film fests aim for emotional uplift.
To have a film festival in town devoted to the inspirational and uplifting may be slightly unusual, but to have two taking place simultaneously is rather extraordinary. And the cherry on top of this particular cinematic sundae is that both the Inspire Film Festival in The Woodlands, running Friday through Monday, and ReelAbilities Film Festival in Houston, taking place Sunday through Wednesday, are featuring films — including a current Oscar contender — that have more to offer than just good vibes. They’re some good filmmaking here, too.
Plus both events feature panels, speakers and other activities.
Here are some recommended films playing either Inspire (whose slogan is “Come as you are, leave different”) or ReelAbilities (devoted to works by or about people with disabilities) that, though they may have played here theatrically or be available now via streaming, are still very much worth seeing on the big screen. But note that Inspire, unfortunately, is not making tickets available to individual films; you have to buy a festival pass, the cheapest of which is $50 and the priciest is $300. On the other hand, ReelAbilities is free.
Inspire Film Festival
“Science Fair”: Like the 2002 documentary “Spellbound,” “Science Fair” takes what might not seem to be movie material — following nine high school students competing at an international science and engineering fair — and turns it into the stuff of heartstopping drama. It picked up audience awards at both Sundance and South by Southwest. 6:30 p.m. Friday at Cinemark Tinseltown, The Woodlands and 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Wells Fargo Theater at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands.
“The Interpreters”: This exceedingly timely documentary chronicles the lives of three local interpreters in Afghanistan and Iraq who helped U.S. soldiers during the conflicts but now find themselves in danger from some in their communities as they struggle with the aftermath of war. It won the Courage and Jury Awards at the Austin Film Festival. 8:30 p.m. Friday and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wells Fargo Theater.
“Free Solo”: Follow pro climber Alex Honnold in his quest to free climb Yosemite’s El Capitan in this Oscar-nominated documentary. If your palms don’t sweat and you don’t get vertigo then you must be made of the same steel as Honnold. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the Wells Fargo Theater.
ReelAbilities Film Festival
“Far From the Tree”: This documentary, based on the Andrew Solomon best-seller, looks at cases where children are radically different from their parents — whether it’s being gay, having Down syndrome or dwarfism — and how that shaped their relationships and their lives. 7 p.m. Friday, Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 24, Houston.
“The Rider”: One of last year’s best films, “The Rider” tells the ripped-from-real-life story of a young rodeo star who, after suffering a head injury and forbidden from riding, must face a future without being able to pursue the sport he loves. Gorgeously shot by director Chloe Zhao, “The Rider” is given even more emotional heft by the fact that all the “actors,” including star Brady Jandreau, are the real people on whom the film is based. It’s an extraordinary work, and it’s a shame it wasn’t recognized with an Oscar nomination, though it has won or been nominated for many other awards. 4 p.m. Wednesday, free, Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 24.
“Deej”: Robert Rooy’s documentary follows autistic DJ Savarese, who, while only talking through a text-to-voice synthesizer, has managed to graduate from high school and go to Oberlin College. 7 p.m. Wednesday, free, Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 24.