ReelAbilities: 'Margarita with a Straw'

A funky, stereotype-busting coming-of-age tale based on the true story of a Punjabi teenage girl with cerebral palsy. Laila, an aspiring writer and secret rebel in a wheelchair, is accepted to New York University and leaves India for Manhattan. After a chance encounter with a fiery female activist, Laila starts to grow emotionally and explore this new world and its liberal sexualities. Tackling subject matter rarely explored with lightheartedness, this TIFF award-winning drama is a beautiful, bold, and brave portrait of love, identity, and sexuality. Margarita, with a Straw is joyous cinema bound to win your heart. Director: Shonali Bose & Nilesh Maniyar, Narrative, 97 min, India, English and Hindi, Adult Content

ReelAbilities: Houston Film & Arts Festival is a free, city-wide film and arts festival dedicated to presenting films, art exhibitions, performances and speakers that celebrate the lives, stories, and talents of people with disabilities and enrich Houston’s culture, diversity and inclusion efforts.