Apple Original Films has released the teaser trailer and key art for Being Heumann, a new feature film directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder. The film tells the story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann and the group of young adults who joined her in challenging discrimination.
Heder previously worked with Apple Original Films on CODA, the multi-Academy Award-winning drama that made history as the first film with a predominantly deaf cast to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Being Heumann is scheduled to open in select cinemas on November 6, 2026, before its global premiere on Apple TV on Friday, November 13.
The teaser arrives shortly before the film’s world premiere as the opening film of the Toronto International Film Festival, which is scheduled to take place on September 10.
‘Being Heumann’ tells the story of a landmark disability rights protest
Set in 1977, Being Heumann follows a young disabled woman, played by Ruth Madeley, and a determined coalition of activists who decide they have had enough of being ignored.
When Judy Heumann’s phone calls go unanswered, the group takes a more direct approach by occupying a federal government building. What begins as an impulsive act develops into the longest occupation of a federal building in American history, with hundreds of people taking over government offices and refusing to leave until the bureaucrat standing in their way, played by Mark Ruffalo, takes action.
The film explores how the movement’s unexpected leaders navigate an unprecedented campaign for equality while attempting to determine their next steps without an established path to follow.
Directed by Heder and based on true events, Being Heumann portrays the people behind the protest and their efforts to challenge discrimination and bring about lasting change for millions of people.
Apple Original Films and Siân Heder reunite
The film represents the second collaboration between Apple Original Films and Heder following CODA. The earlier film received the Academy Award for Best Picture and was notable for featuring a predominantly deaf cast.
Being Heumann continues Apple’s focus on original feature films alongside its wider slate of drama and comedy series, documentaries, and family programming.
Apple TV launched on November 1, 2019, becoming the first all-original streaming service to launch worldwide. According to Apple, its original films, documentaries and series have received 880 wins and 3,826 award nominations to date.
Among its cited titles are the Emmy Award-winning comedies The Studio and Ted Lasso, the drama Severance, Pluribus, Best Picture winner CODA, and Academy Award-nominated F1, which Apple describes as the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
Being Heumann release date
Being Heumann will premiere in select cinemas on November 6, 2026, followed by its global Apple TV premiere on November 13, 2026.