Being Heumann opens in select US theatres on Friday, 6 November 2026, and streams globally on Apple TV on Friday, 13 November 2026. It is the follow-up from Academy Award winner Siân Heder, whose CODA won Best Picture — and it tells one of the most important civil rights stories in American history.
The film stars Ruth Madeley as disability rights activist Judith “Judy” Heumann and Mark Ruffalo as Joseph A. Califano Jr., the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. It dramatises the 1977 Section 504 sit-in in San Francisco — the longest peaceful occupation of a federal building in American history, lasting 26 days — as activists demanded the first federal civil rights protections for disabled Americans.
The film is based on Heumann’s memoir, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, published in 2020 and co-written with Kristen Joiner. Heder co-wrote the screenplay with Rebekah Taussig.
The cast also includes Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney, Ray Fisher and Madeline Delp. The film runs 127 minutes and opened the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September.
Reviews are positive. The A.V. Club graded the film B+ and called Madeley’s performance “a true star turn.”
The 504 sit-in is a story many people have never heard, despite its scale: disabled activists occupied a federal building for nearly a month, refusing to leave until the government signed regulations protecting their rights. The film brings that history to a wide audience for the first time, with Heder’s track record suggesting it will be told with warmth and honesty.
Being Heumann is one of the most anticipated films of the season, alongside the Soul Train Awards 2026 celebrations and Maya Hawke’s casting in the Magic: The Gathering movie. It opens in theatres on 6 November and streams on Apple TV from 13 November.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.