WXXI Move to Include

Symphony Celebration: The Blind Boys of Alabama with Dr. Henry Panion, III • WXXI-TV

A truly unique television program bringing together songs performed by musical legends The Blind Boys of Alabama and a full symphony orchestra.

Symphony Celebration: The Blind Boys of Alabama with Dr. Henry Panion, III airs Friday, August 16 at 9 pm on WXXI-TV, and encores Saturday, August 17 at 4 p.m.

Throughout the program, a documentary storytelling thread uses small vignettes to connect the artists and their songs. Beautifully orchestrated and conducted by Dr. Henry Panion III, Symphony Celebration focuses on messages of humanity, peace and love.

Art + Medicine: Disability, Culture and Creativity • On-demand

Artists and healthcare clinicians create alternative perspectives on disability, through disability, stories and performances, and redefine what we perceive as normal. Hosted by artist and storyteller Kevin Kling, Professor Jessica Horvath Williams, PhD, and Doctor Tsegaensh Selameab. Created in collaboration with the Center for the Art of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

POV: Is There Anyone Out There • WXXI-TV

Watch as filmmaker Ella Glendening goes on a journey to find solidarity and community within her disability.

POV : Is There Anyone Out There airs Monday, July 8 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Born with a rare disability, filmmaker Ella Glendining wonders if there is anyone who can share the experience of living in a body like hers. This simple question–one which non disabled people take for granted, leads to a journey to not only others who live like her–but to the realization that meeting them changes how she views herself in the world, as well as many surprises along the way.

This film is presented as part of Move to Include™ , a national initiative in partnership with WXXI and The Golisano Foundation that uses the power of public media to promote inclusion. Click here to learn more.

Understanding Autism • On-demand

Filmmaker Scott Steindorff learns about Autism.

Watch Understanding Autism through 5/1/27.

Understanding Autism follows filmmaker Scott Steindorff as he aims to discover more about his own autism. Speaking to autistic people all across the spectrum, he seeks to reframe the perception of autism by focusing on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment by highlighting the amazing talents and love of neurodiversity.

Photo: Scott Steindorff
Provided by PBS

EZRA • The Little Theatre • June 3-13

WXXI and The Golisano Foundation are pleased to be a community partner in the presentation of this film as part of the Move to Include™ initiative.

EZRA screens June 3 through June 13 at The Little Theatre at 240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY.

Get Tickets

A touching portrait of family and friendship, EZRA follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (Robert De Niro), while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne).

When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, who also appears in the film alongside additional cast members Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg, Ezra is an endearing and often funny exploration of a family determined to find their way through life’s complexities with humor, compassion, and heart.

Understanding Autism • WXXI-TV

Filmmaker Scott Steindorff learns about autism.

Understanding Autism airs Monday, January 13, 2025 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI app.

his program is presented as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies – in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. Dialogue on Disability is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation. The weeklong initiative runs January 13-19, 2025

WXXI and Al Sigl have been hosting Dialogue on Disability since 2005. In 2014, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation, Move to Include™ was formed. This initiative enables WXXI to present and develop programming that promotes inclusion year round.

Photo: Scott Steindorff
Provided by PBS

Becoming Frida Kahlo • WXXI-TV

This final episode focuses on Frida Kahlo’s later life, including her affair with Leon Trotsky, her trip to Paris on the eve of World War II and her return to Mexico where she divorces then remarries Diego Rivera before her death.

Becoming Frida Kahlo airs Tuesday, July 2 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

See the major personal and political events of her life, including her stormy and devoted relationship with artist Diego Rivera, whom she married not once but twice. Watch On-Demand Here

The Great World of Gregory Blackstock: On-Demand

The richly obsessive life and work of renowned autistic artist Gregory Blackstock comes to life, as he uses his art to catalogue and make sense of the world around him. Gregory’s cousin Dorothy helps bring his drawings to the attention of the art world, while the film brings his work to life through hand-crafted animation, drawing you into the unique vision of this singular artist.