PRESS RELEASE: Cleveland VOTES Voting Accessibility Documentary Selected for Short. Sweet. Film Fest.

(Cleveland, OH — February 24, 2026) “Accessibility and the Ballot,” a 2025 documentary by Cleveland VOTES, has been selected for the 2026 Short. Sweet. Film Fest., a Cleveland-based festival celebrating short films under 40 minutes from filmmakers across the country.

Cleveland VOTES (CV), a Cleveland nonpartisan, democracy-building nonprofit, produced the documentary as part of its ongoing Voting in the Land series. The series, created and produced by Communications + Narrative Strategist Brianna Zgodinski, is an outlet to explore the challenges and triumphs of voting in Cleveland. 

“I wanted to be able to share the stories and voices that are often overlooked by mainstream media when it comes to voter experiences, because no two people have the exact same experience at the polls,” said Zgodinski. “It’s important that people, regardless of ability, are exposed to these stories and understand how different community members experience civic participation. That’s how we move toward a more equitable democracy.”

“Accessibility and the Ballot” highlights the experiences of voters with disabilities, the barriers they face, and the steps we can all take as community members, voters, and election officials to ensure that voting is truly accessible for everyone.

“The ADA is looked at as a glass ceiling, when really it is a glass floor,” said Saphire Murphy, community engagement specialist. at LEAP, in the documentary. “Usually something that is beneficial for people with disabilities is beneficial for all people.”

The documentary will be screened during the festival’s closed-captioned program on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 7:15 p.m. In support of accessibility, Short. Sweet. Film Fest. has made this screening free and open to the public. Tickets for the full festival and additional screening blocks remain available.

Following the screening, two documentary participants will join CV staff members who worked on the film, Director Gloria Craig, Editor Taylor Wilson, and Producer Brianna Zgodinski, for a panel discussion. Free accessible election materials will also be available, offering actionable steps to help make elections more accessible.

Community members can learn more about Cleveland VOTES’ programming, events, and other voting and elections media by visiting www.clevotes.com.