“Being Heumann” Heads to TIFF With Ruth Madeley Leading Siân Heder’s New Drama

Ruth Madeley, portraying Judy Heumann, raises her hands from a wheelchair alongside fellow demonstrators in “Being Heumann.”

“Being Heumann” reaches its next milestone September 10, when Siân Heder’s new historical drama opens the Toronto International Film Festival. Ruth Madeley stars as disability rights advocate Judy Heumann, with Mark Ruffalo among the cast. Apple has released an official teaser ahead of the premiere, offering audiences an early look before the film’s November rollout.

Apple’s announcement separates the festival debut from the wider release: “Being Heumann” arrives in select theaters November 6 and streams globally on Apple TV November 13. For Baltimore viewers planning a watchlist, those November dates are the ones to keep. The Toronto opening is the film’s world premiere, not a same-day streaming launch.

The story centers on a 1977 campaign for disability rights. In the festival venue’s synopsis, Heumann organizes a coalition to press federal officials to implement protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The film follows an occupation in San Francisco and the group’s push toward Washington, placing collective action at the heart of its drama.

Ruffalo portrays Joseph Califano, the federal official the activists are trying to move. Apple’s cast and crew page also lists Madeline Delp and Dylan O’Brien, with Heder and Rebekah Taussig credited as writers. Heder returns to Apple after “CODA,” the Best Picture winner that brought a predominantly deaf cast to the center of a major awards breakthrough.

The premiere’s presentation reflects the subject matter in practical ways. Roy Thomson Hall lists open captions for all of the film’s festival screenings and an ASL interpreter for the live onstage portions on September 10. Its listing gives a running time of 127 minutes. Those details describe the festival presentation and should not be assumed to cover every later theatrical screening.

For another fall screen update, PowerPage has the latest on “MobLand” and its September return. “Being Heumann” offers a different kind of ensemble story, built around people organizing for access and recognition. The official teaser is below; the full film follows in theaters November 6 and on Apple TV November 13.

Watch Apple TV’s official “Being Heumann” teaser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9INUY8uKRyU