‘Being Heumann’ Star Ruth Madeley And Casting Team On Championing Diversity Onscreen – Contenders L.A.

Ruth Madeley and casting directors Bernard Telsey and Adam Caldwell discussed Apple Original Films’ *Being Heumann* at Contenders Film Los Angeles, focusing on the portrayal of disability and inclusive casting. Madeley said she drew on Judy Heumann’s memoir and archival footage to capture her humour, mannerisms and physicality, while recognising that their disabilities were different.

The film, co-written and directed by Siân Heder, follows Heumann and more than 100 disabled protesters who occupied San Francisco’s Federal Building in 1977 for 28 days, the longest such occupation in US history. To cast the ensemble, the team held open calls and targeted searches for disabled performers, including people from Black, blind, deaf and cerebral palsy communities; Caldwell said thousands of people were considered.