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Being Heumann: A Rousing Biopic on Disability Rights Activism
Confirmed
In Short: Apple Original Films has unveiled the teaser trailer for 'Being Heumann,' a biopic that chronicles the life of Judy Heumann, a key figure in the disability rights movement.
Apple Original Films has unveiled the teaser trailer for 'Being Heumann,' a biopic that chronicles the life of Judy Heumann, a key figure in the disability rights movement. The film, directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder, marks her second collaboration with the studio following the multi-Academy Award-winning 'CODA.
Based on true events, the film focuses on the 28-day occupation of San Francisco’s federal building, led by Heumann and a group of activists demanding the signing of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and its Section 504, which banned discrimination against people with disabilities in government-funded institutions. The occupation, more than a decade before the ADA was signed into law, is a pivotal moment in the movement.
According to Cinemanerdz, the film is a powerful new feature that chronicles Heumann as she leads a group of young adults who come together to find their collective voice in a fight against discrimination. The teaser trailer has been unveiled just ahead of the premiere of 'Being Heumann' as the opening film of the Toronto International Film Festival, set to take place on September 10, 2026.
Siân Heder’s follow-up to 'CODA' is described as a lively and rousing biopic, mixing a heavy dose of humor into a landmark moment in the quest for equal rights for all. The film highlights the intimacy and trust that goes into caregiving, the sexual autonomy of disabled people, and the feeling of being seen as invisible by society. 'Being Heumann' is better viewed as an ensemble piece that captures the entire movement she championed.
Meanwhile, as the onscreen Heumann learns to release some control of the movement and the ongoing sit-in, the film explores the backstories of some of this talented ensemble of disabled characters, each contributing to the film’s humorous and touching heartbeat. The biopic is set to open in select theaters on November 6, 2026, and on Apple TV on November 13, 2026!
What's confirmed
- Apple Original Films has unveiled the teaser trailer for 'Being Heumann,' a biopic that chronicles the life of Judy Heumann, a key figure in the disability rights movement. The film, directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder, marks her second collaboration with the studio following the multi-Academy Award-winning 'CODA.
- Based on true events, the film focuses on the 28-day occupation of San Francisco’s federal building, led by Heumann and a group of activists demanding the signing of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and its Section 504, which banned discrimination against people with disabilities in government-funded institutions. The occupation, more than a decade before the ADA was signed into law, is a pivotal moment in the movement.
- According to Cinemanerdz, the film is a powerful new feature that chronicles Heumann as she leads a group of young adults who come together to find their collective voice in a fight against discrimination. The teaser trailer has been unveiled just ahead of the premiere of 'Being Heumann' as the opening film of the Toronto International Film Festival, set to take place on September 10, 2026.
- Siân Heder’s follow-up to 'CODA' is described as a lively and rousing biopic, mixing a heavy dose of humor into a landmark moment in the quest for equal rights for all. The film highlights the intimacy and trust that goes into caregiving, the sexual autonomy of disabled people, and the feeling of being seen as invisible by society. 'Being Heumann' is better viewed as an ensemble piece that captures the entire movement she championed.
- Meanwhile, as the onscreen Heumann learns to release some control of the movement and the ongoing sit-in, the film explores the backstories of some of this talented ensemble of disabled characters, each contributing to the film’s humorous and touching heartbeat. The biopic is set to open in select theaters on November 6, 2026, and on Apple TV on November 13, 2026!
What's still developing
- In the case of Siân Heder, she’s managed to follow up CODA with Being Heumann, a similarly crowd pleasing and life affirming work that this time is telling a true story.
- What starts in that San Francisco office building eventually gets to Washington DC, with history eventually being made.
- At a time when rights are being threatened, seeing how ones were attained in the first place is deeply moving.
- Ever since the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed, Section 504, which was the first national civil rights legislation designed to provide protections for people with disabilities, has not been enacted.
- SYNOPSIS: They wouldn’t take Judy Heumann’s phone calls, so she took their building.