The 2025 TravelAbility Summit introduced exciting new features this year, including the inaugural TravelAbility Film Fest, a creative showcase celebrating the voices and visuals of accessible travel. Designed to highlight storytelling that inspires empathy, understanding, and action, the Film Fest put accessibility in the spotlight, giving filmmakers and destinations a platform to share how they are shaping a more inclusive world.Houston Vandergriff, Jennifer Casey, and Carolina Christian pose on stage as Houston accepts his award.
The festival drew 52 entries from around the globe, including India, Ireland, England, Scotland, Lithuania, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. From immersive destination experiences to innovative accessibility programs, the films captured creativity, purpose, and real-world impact.
Fourteen finalists were selected by a team of screeners and reviewed by a distinguished jury of experts in film, design, and accessibility:
- Jule Sisk, Founder, The American Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival
- Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, VML
- Taylor Miller, Founder, Slamdance Film Festival
- Monika Skerbelis, Director, Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes
- Jennifer Casey, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Gray Television
“Communication about accessibility to create empathy is all about storytelling, and these are examples of excellent storytelling that create empathy, understanding, and connection, taking mindsets from awareness to action,” said TravelAbility Founder and CEO Jake Steinman.
Throughout the Summit, all finalist films were shared between major sessions, giving attendees the chance to experience these stories firsthand. Participants noted that interspersing the films throughout sessions grounded the importance of accessibility in real, lived experiences, creating moments of reflection, inspiration, and motivation. The festival concluded with a celebration of all films and an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 14, honoring the most impactful stories from around the world.
2025 TravelAbility Film Festival Winners
Grand Prize Winner
- GLP Films & The Oregon Coast Visitor Association — Accessible, Inclusive Travel on the Oregon Coast
Attractions Category
- 1st Place — Ximuwu: The First Truly Accessible Safari Lodge
- 2nd Place — WetWheels: Barrier-Free Boating for Everyone
- 3rd Place — KultureCity: It’s More Than Just A Bag
Content Creators Category
- 1st Place — Traveleyes: Share the Adventure
- 2nd Place — Downs and Towns: THIS is Yuma
- 3rd place — Vineet Victor: Overcoming Barriers: India and Beyond
Destination Category
- 1st Place — Travel Alberta: Alberta Adapts
- 2nd Place — VML and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development: Sound Sites
- 3rd Place — AMLA: Under the Sun, Moon, & Stars: Accessible North Alabama with Wonders Within Reach