The Palm Springs Cultural Center will spotlight bold storytelling and disability representation on Sunday, October 11 with a special edition of Books, Films, & Then Some with Corey Roskin, presented in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Dwarfism Advocacy Month. The evening’s feature presentation is Veronica, an award‑winning short film co‑written and produced by Selene Luna and filmmaker John T. Stapleton, directed by Brett Dos Santos (Mayans M.C., Prison Break). The film stars an exceptional ensemble: Selene Luna, Katey Sagal, Margaret Cho, and Taryn Manning, delivering a sharp, funny, and unapologetic narrative that challenges Hollywood stereotypes while championing dignity, visibility, and the right of disabled artists to tell their own stories.
Behind the scenes, Veronica boasts an impressive creative team, including Academy Award‑nominated actor and producer Woody Harrelson, adding further depth to the film’s artistic pedigree. The original score—composed by Deven Green and Ned Douglas, recently honored with a City of Palm Springs proclamation—brings additional local resonance to the project.
The 6 pm film program also includes Buttinskis, a short by filmmaker and actor Christophe Zajac‑Denek, followed by a live panel featuring Taryn Manning, Selene Luna, John Stapleton, and Christophe Zajac‑Denek, moderated by Corey Roskin. Earlier in the day at 3 pm, New York Times bestselling author Emily Rapp Black joins Roskin for a conversation about her newest book, I Would Die If I Were You: Notes on Art and Truth Telling, exploring honesty, creativity, and the power of difficult truths.
The full program is free and open to the public, with reservations strongly encouraged. Together, these events celebrate disability artistry with humor, heart, and authentic representation—offering an inspiring day of film, literature, and conversation at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
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