Ready to Support Disabled, Queer Artists?
An interview with the founder of RestFest 2026!
Howdy folks! I have a great interview for you all today. One of my favorite people, and a brilliant artist, Bec Miriam!! They’re going to be talking to us about an amazing film festival they’re putting on this month celebrating Disabled art. I love bringing joy as a source of power into the fight for queer liberation, and Bec is a kindred spirit in the joy and beauty they bring to disability justice. I know y’all are going to love this one!
Hi Bec!! Thanks so much for being here. Why don’t you introduce yourself to all the lovely people here at Good Queer News?
Hi! I’m Bec Miriam (they/them). I’m a Disabled, Chronically ill & Neurodivergent filmmaker, artist, & founder of RestFest Film Festival!
Tell me more about Restfest! What do you all have going on this month?
RestFest Film Festival is a virtual film/video art festival created by/for the Disabled, Deaf, Chronically ill, Neurodivergent, and/or Mad community - worldwide.
Our annual festival is taking place now: Feb 1-28. We’ve got 27 films available for streaming and 18 virtual events to take part in. All are created by Disabled, Deaf, Chronically ill, Neurodivergent, and/or Mad artists.
Everything is entirely accessible from bed.
Give me a little more of the origin story here. How did this start? How has the journey surprised you most?
As a Disabled filmmaker myself, this is something I was seeking for a number of reasons.
I found myself unable to attend festivals that my own films were screening in because I was too sick to travel. And I knew I wasn’t alone in this. Attending film events is a valuable way to find community with fellow filmmakers and film lovers, and we miss out on that.
Disabled community is also something uniquely special, so having this opportunity to connect with other Disabled artists and engage with each other’s work is incredibly fulfilling & meaningful.
I wanted a film space that was entirely by & for us. It was important to me that RestFest encouraged free creative expression by all Disabled artists. Here, we’re not put in a box, not required to make films about Disability. This festival is not in service of educating the non-Disabled. It’s for us.
I’d say what has surprised me most is just how vast this community is. There are Disabled artists seeking community everywhere. Through RestFest, I’ve had the chance to connect with folks from all over the world. And from our comfiest & coziest spaces!
Speaking of how much love there is in building queer and disabled art spaces, check out this clip from the film Transcend:
You’ve mentioned to me that there are some really beautiful queer and trans artists as part of RestFest. Give me a pitch for some of your favorite pieces!
Yes yes yes! The majority of participating artists, plus myself and my co-curator (Miz Hashimoto) are queer, trans, &/or non-binary.
If you’re looking for films that specifically talk about being queer and trans, you’ll absolutely find them here.
Transcend, a documentary short film from the U.K follows the journey of three trans artists & their processes of creation, of both their art and their gender identities. The film discusses the challenges of being trans in the U.K., but it centers the value of trans community & artmaking. It’s a film overflowing with trans joy. While watching it, I found myself crying tears of joy. It was directed by trans filmmaker Althea J Eccles.
Man in the Moon, a gorgeous video artwork is a collaboration between two trans men while at different points of their transitions. Visual Artist Rora Blue & Poet Max Stone engage with one another’s work as a way for each to reflect back and look forward on a journey of self discovery.
Transcend can be streamed in the shorts block “Reverberation / Held”.
Man in the Moon can be streamed in the shorts block “Mid-Air / Suspended”.
I absolutely love the mission of RestFest and that sounds like such a beautiful space for making and sharing art. What is your favorite thing about the art people are making for RestFest?
There’s rawness and authenticity present in all of these works that I find both touching & creatively very exciting. There is a very wide variety of genres, forms, & topics explored in the program. No two films are the same, but all break away from convention in their own way. That feels very Disabled & very Queer to me.
Hell yeah it does!! One of the things I write about constantly is the need for joy within the fight for trans rights. What role do you think joy has to play in creating disability justice?
It’s essential! Disabled joy is at the heart of what RestFest is, and it’s through joy that we can stay motivated to create change. It gives us energy, and it gives us hope.
Experiencing joy and experiencing it with each other is what tells us we can fight this fight and win.
How can people engage with RestFest this year? How else can we support the wonderful work you’re doing?
Stream the films & come to events!
All 27 films are available to stream in our Virtual Theater: watch.eventive.org/restfestfilmfestival
There are 18 live virtual events, including workshops, panels, gatherings, & more. Visit the virtual events box office to get tickets: www.tixtree.com/o/restfest-film-festival
Another way to support is by spreading the word! We’d love for as many folks as possible to get to enjoy these gorgeous films & to join in on all the festivities.
For a general overview of the festival, visit the homepage: www.restfestfilmfestival.org/2026-film-festival
And join us on Instagram & Substack: @restfestfilmfestival // restfest.substack.com
I like to ask this of everybody who I feature here: what’s bringing you joy right now?
I am overflowing with joy to be organizing and taking part in this space that centers Crip arts & Crip community. It’s a massive honor for me.
Ben, thank you so much for your support of the festival & for all the amazing work that you do for us Queer folks. <3
Festival Links:
Virtual Events Box Office: www.tixtree.com/o/restfest-film-festival
Virtual Theater: watch.eventive.org/restfestfilmfestival
Festival Film Passes: restfestfilmfestival.eventive.org/passes/buy
About the Films: www.restfestfilmfestival.org/2026-film/video-programs
Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/QBa3M
Discord: https://discord.gg/B8kkd7N6
Wow!!!! What an interview! What a human! I’m so glad I got to share some more of Bec’s work with you all and I hope you take some time to enjoy the amazing films they’re celebrating this month.
That’s all I’ve got for now. With all my love as always,
Ben <3
So so so so honored !!! 📹❤️🫂