In 2025, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) continued to take its message of independence and opportunity to the big screen, presenting its documentary film Possibilities at national and international film festivals across the globe.
Possibilities follows a series of powerful, real-world stories of individuals who are blind or have low vision. The film builds on Helen Keller’s legacy, who spent over 44 years working at the American Foundation for the Blind, and finds echoes of her impact in the real stories of modern-day individuals who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Through their journeys, the film invites viewers to see blindness not as a limitation but as part of the diverse spectrum of human potential.
“Tomorrow, what possibilities there are in that word.”
— Helen Keller
The fiscal year began with Possibilities taking home the prize for Best Disability Feature at the Power 24 International Film Festival in Durban, South Africa. Two months later, AFB would take home the grand prize for Best Picture at the Champion’s International Film Salon, a disability-focused film festival based in Texas. Then, in November, AFB’s assistant vice president for communications, Tony Stephens, traveled to Corinth, Greece, for a screening and panel presentation at the Bridges International Film Festival.
Along the way, AFB received additional accolades for its film, which was presented at festivals from Santa Monica, California, to Budapest, Hungary.
The film’s festival run could not have ended any better than it did, with AFB receiving the top documentary prize at the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The award was particularly special for the film’s director, Bill Sarine, who grew up in New Jersey and was deeply moved by the recognition from independent film leaders in his home state, which has a strong legacy in independent cinema.
“From the beaches along the Jersey Shore to those all the way across the Atlantic in the Mediterranean Sea, it’s incredible to think just how many diverse audiences we were able to reach through the 14 festivals that recognized our film,” said Eric Bridges, AFB President and CEO. “We’re now focusing on securing digital distribution for the film so we can reach even more audiences across the globe — people who may have never even come in contact with a person who is blind, much less the legacy of Helen Keller.”
In addition to its successful run at festivals during the 2025 fiscal year, Possibilities enjoyed several additional screening events. Two of note include a special virtual screening for Google employees across the globe in October 2024. Then, Possibilities went down under for a special screening in Brisbane, Australia, at a conference for professionals in the blindness field throughout the South Pacific. The film’s successful run through the national and international festival circuit captured audiences’ attention and hearts, amplifying AFB’s mission to drive change and reimagine how the world perceives blindness.
For AFB, Possibilities represents more than cinematic success—it’s a storytelling milestone in advancing our agenda forward. By placing authentic voices at the forefront, AFB is shifting the cultural lens from what blindness takes away to what it contributes. Each screening sparked new partnerships, inspired educators and employers, and opened doors for dialogue on accessibility and opportunity.
As the film continues its journey, AFB looks toward an even broader horizon, bringing Possibilities to classrooms, boardrooms, and communities nationwide.
Explore AFB's Award-Winning Documentary
Stay updated on the latest news and screenings by visiting www.afb.org/possibilities.
