Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association film on accessibility an award-winner at TravelAbility Festival

DECATUR – An Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association film showcasing the accessibility of North Alabama’s travel destinations received a third-place award in an international competition.

The film, “Under the Sun, Moon, & Stars: Accessible North Alabama with Wonders Within Reach,” was honored in the Destination Marketing Organizations category at the inaugural TravelAbility Film Festival. The festival was held in conjunction with the 2025 TravelAbility Summit last month in Sunriver, Ore.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition and thrilled that our story of accessible travel in North Alabama resonated with audiences around the world,” said AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist. “This film reflects our ongoing commitment to making the North Alabama experience welcoming and inclusive for travelers with disabilities.”

The TravelAbility Film Festival celebrates stories that inspire and promote inclusive and accessible travel experiences, according to a news release.

This inaugural edition drew 52 entries across three categories, Attractions/Hotels/Restaurants, Content Creators, and Destination Marketing Organizations, from India, Ireland, England, Scotland, Lithuania, South Africa, Canada and the United States. A team of screeners reviewed all submissions and advanced 16 finalists to a distinguished jury.

“Communication about accessibility to create empathy is all about storytelling and these are examples of excellent storytelling that create empathy, understanding, and connection, taking mindsets from awareness to action,” said Jake Steinman, founder and CEO of TravelAbility

Produced by Bethany Collins, directed by Phil Woodal, and videography by Jonathan Powell and Adam Vaden with The Library Of, “Under the Sun, Moon, & Stars: Accessible North Alabama with Wonders Within Reach” showcases North Alabama’s natural beauty, attractions and adventures that are accessible-friendly. The film invites travelers to explore the region’s wonders “under the sun, moon, and stars” while emphasizing accessibility and inclusion.

Entries were reviewed by a jury of industry leaders, including Jule Sisk, founder, The American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival; Josh Loebner, global head of Inclusive Design, VML; Taylor Miller, founder, Slamdance Film Festival; Monika Skerbelis, director, Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival; and Jennifer Casey, director of strategic partnerships, Gray Television

Throughout the TravelAbility Summit, finalist films were featured between major sessions, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the power of inclusive storytelling. The festival concluded with an awards ceremony where Jennifer Allen accepted the award on behalf of AMLA and Wonders Within Reach.

TravelAbility will feature all finalist and winning films on its YouTube channel and website, and the winners will also be announced in its November newsletter.

Each winning film will also be spotlighted in the coming months across TravelAbility’s social media channels https://www.facebook.com/TravelAbility.net and https://www.instagram.com/travelabilitysummit/.