Bristow Supports People with Different Abilities through ReelAilities Film Festival

Bristow was a lead sponsor of the ReelAbilities: Houston Film Festival for the sixth consecutive year in 2018 as part of Houston's Bristow Uplift. The city-wide film and arts festival uses the arts to promote inclusion and celebrate the lives, stories and artwork of people with disabilities. The festival, which runs February 18 – 22, is hosted by the JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion in collaboration with Houston's Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

In addition to the sponsorship, Bristow employees volunteered to support Bristow Night on February 20, which was an evening screening of the film Looking at the Stars at Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium in Houston. The film chronicles the artistic journey of Geyza, a prima ballerina at a ballet academy in Sao Paulo, Brazil, The Fernanda Bianchini Academy, where more than 300 dancers who are blind have been trained to become ballerinas. The film has a special connection for Bristow, since its partner, Líder Aviação, is based in Brazil. The film was shown at Líder Aviação locations throughout Brazil, and Bristow President and CEO Jonathan Baliff and Líder Aviação CEO Eduardo Vaz both filmed video introductions to the movie.

"Bristow is proud to be involved with ReelAbilities for the sixth consecutive year and support people with different abilities," said Jonathan. "Through our sponsorship, we are pleased to support ReelEducation, which brings films and speakers from the festival to thousands of students in schools across the Houston area each year."</p.

Bristow volunteers represented the company throughout Bristow Night, wearing Bristow Uplift shirts as they supported the events as parking lot assistants, greeting and directional assistants, listening device assistants and sponsor escorts.

"It was a great evening," said Director of IT Program Office Services Noel Malcaba, who coordinated Bristow support of the event. "Looking at the Stars was very moving and inspirational with many funny and touching moments sprinkled in. Our volunteer team especially enjoyed meeting and mingling with the festival patrons, many of whom expressed their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for our sponsorship and support. It was a very memorable and rewarding evening."

In addition to Bristow Night, Corporate employees participated with a free lunch time movie screening of five selected festival film shorts that was held at the Houston campus.