Apple TV Sets Being Heumann Release After Trailer Debut

A new film about the historic American disability rights movement is heading to theaters and streaming, with Apple Original Films releasing a trailer for Being Heumann on October 12, 2026. Directed by Siân Heder, the drama stars Ruth Madeley as activist Judy Heumann and recounts the 1977 occupation of a federal building in San Francisco.

The film will open in select theaters on November 6, 2026, before becoming available globally on Apple TV on November 13, according to release information reported by Digital Spy and Yahoo. Its story centers on more than 100 activists who occupied the San Francisco Federal Building to demand equal rights and enforcement of disability protections.

The trailer depicts the 28-day sit-in, which Digital Spy identifies as the longest of its kind in American history. The footage also presents moments of humor and camaraderie among protesters, alongside their confrontation with government officials over accessibility and civil rights.

The trailer opens with Heumann reflecting on the practical challenges of disability, stating, "Disability is not a tragedy. It is a tremendous hassle."

It then highlights the barriers encountered by disabled people and the activists' demands for government action. The film's dialogue challenges the idea that disabled people, rather than inaccessible environments, are responsible for exclusion.

Heumann states, "They see you in front of the stairs, and they think that you're the problem. The stairs are the problem."

The protest depicted in the film arose from frustration over the federal government's failure to implement and enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, according to Yahoo's account of the trailer. The provision is central to the activists' campaign for equal treatment.

Mark Ruffalo portrays Joseph Califano, the government official whose position conflicts with the protesters' demands. The supporting cast includes Dylan O'Brien, Rob Delaney, Ray Fisher, Madeline Delp and Michael Patrick Thornton.

Apple describes the ensemble as the "largest assortment of Disabled actors ever" assembled for a production.

Heder directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Rebekah Taussig, adapting Heumann's memoir, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. Heder previously directed CODA, which won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Being Heumann premiered as the opening-night film at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2026, and is also scheduled for the gala program at the BFI London Film Festival. Early reviews have praised its portrayal of disability rights history and its balance of serious subject matter with humor.

The Film Maven called the film "an essential piece of disabled cinema" in its review.

IndieWire similarly described it as "an essential biopic that's not afraid to have some fun" in its assessment of the production.

TheWrap emphasized the film's combination of entertainment and historical significance, writing, "Heder knows how to work triumph on screen. There's no question that she's pulled off another crowd-pleasing film, but the key to Being Heumann is that its importance goes beyond those audience smiles."

Deadline also commended Madeley's portrayal of the activist, saying she "plays her with a fearless determination and passion that would make the real Heumann proud".

Other coverage has characterized the film as "essential" and "crowd-pleasing" while discussing its early reception.

The trailer's presentation also counters the impression that the historical drama is simply "homework", with scenes showing wheelchair races and the disorderly, communal atmosphere of the occupation.

The official synopsis describes the central action as a collective act of resistance led by Heumann, in which more than 100 young people take over the federal building to fight for equal rights. The account emphasizes both her leadership and the broader group of activists involved.

With its theatrical debut scheduled for November 6, 2026, Being Heumann will reach streaming audiences one week later, on November 13, through Apple TV.