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Being Heumann: A Rousing Call for Equal Rights at TIFF
Confirmed
In Short: Being Heumann, directed by Siân Heder, is a lively biopic that recounts the 1977 occupation of a San Francisco federal building by disability rights activists, leading to the signing of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act.
In 1977, disabled activist Judy Heumann, played by Ruth Madeley, leads a group of young adults in a 28-day occupation of a San Francisco federal building, demanding the signing of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and its Section 504.
The film explores the backstories of key activists, including Kitty Cone, played by Madeline Delp, and Joni Breves, portrayed by Roberta Colindrez, who serves as Heumann's caregiver and later helps care for the other protesters.
Being Heumann marks the second collaboration between Apple Original Films and Siân Heder, who directed the multi-Academy Award-winning CODA. The film opens in select theaters on November 6, 2026, and on Apple TV on November 13, 2026.
What's confirmed
- In 1977, disabled activist Judy Heumann, played by Ruth Madeley, leads a group of young adults in a 28-day occupation of a San Francisco federal building, demanding the signing of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and its Section 504.
- The film explores the backstories of key activists, including Kitty Cone, played by Madeline Delp, and Joni Breves, portrayed by Roberta Colindrez, who serves as Heumann's caregiver and later helps care for the other protesters.
- Being Heumann marks the second collaboration between Apple Original Films and Siân Heder, who directed the multi-Academy Award-winning CODA. The film opens 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.
- Being Heumann is a lively and rousing biopic, mixing a heavy dose of humor into a landmark moment in the quest for equal rights for all.
- At a time when rights are being threatened, seeing how ones were attained in the first place is deeply moving.
- It shows the intimacy and trust that goes into caregiving, it shows that disabled people are as sexual as anyone else, and it shows what it feels like being seen as invisible by society.
- While the title Being Heumann is a reference to disability rights activist Judy Heumann’s tireless efforts in legislating accessibility, the biopic 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.
- Madeline Delp plays fellow leader Kitty Cone, whose selfless compassion challenges Heumann’s radical approach to the movement.