Filmmaking is thriving in the Hudson Valley, and one local project, Rachel Handler’s Work Trip, is making waves. The film was made for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and shot right here in the Catskills.

Easterseals is an initiative for disabled filmmaking, cast or crew, aiming to open the industry playing field to artists of all abilities. This year’s theme was “dramedy,” and Handler, herself a disabled filmmaker, was immediately inspired.

“I wanted to shine a light on the current rise of violence against women worldwide, and especially in the disability community,” Handler said.

Work Trip is a 5-minute short following two comedians traveling for work, played by Handler and disabled comedian Pavar Snipe. In the film, their hotel stay takes an unexpected turn, and Handler’s own wheelchair saves the day.

To bring Work Trip to life, Handler gathered a Hudson Valley crew: Cinematographer Robert Featherstone, Sound Technician Carl Welden, and producer Shan White, a Kingston resident. The crew was allowed access to the Andes Hotel and shot the whole thing on site.

“It was a very collaborative process,” said White. “We shot it all in two days, sixteen times in a row to get it right.”

The film is now a part of the Easterseals Awareness Campaign, through Sunday, April 12.

This is Handler’s 10th film for the Easterseals challenge. She was a finalist last year and won a $30,000 grant to expand her activist documentary How Much Am I Worth? As an advocate, Handler also helped spearhead the statewide designation of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month this April.

Handler’s Work Trip is a product of our area’s vibrant filmmaking community. Co-producer White grew up in the Hudson Valley and moved back to Kingston after the 2023 WGA writer’s strike.

“Returning here I met so many people,” White said. “And the Hudson Valley has any location you could possibly want for a movie.”

With the rise of remote work, White has noticed more collaboration with New York City creatives, expanding the scope of Hudson Valley filmmaking.

“Being able to more easily collaborate remotely lends itself to the creative renaissance here,” she said.

Handler’s film is a true Hudson Valley creation, doing double time as a tool for disability awareness.

“My entire cast and crew believe deeply in the power of stories to create social change,” Handler said. Work Trip is her latest contribution to the cause.