TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa man is lighting up movie screens nationwide. Joshua Felder, 26, can be seen alongside Woody Harrelson in the film “Champions”. Felder said the film’s message is close to his heart.

“It was very life-changing for me,” Felder said of working on the film.

Lately, Felder has been juggling premieres and appearances in support of “Champions”. Harrelson stars as the coach of basketball players with intellectual disabilities. Felder plays a team member.

"We don't really see much people with disabilities have major roles to be in a big movie that's just about us,” said Felder.

Felder has high-functioning autism, but said he doesn’t consider it a disability. He called it his super power.

Since middle school, Felder has worked with the non-profit Best Buddies International. He said it aims to build on the special abilities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and create opportunities for friendships, employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. Felder said Best Buddies helped connect him with his job as an office assistant at the Holland & Knight law offices and with the opportunity to audition for “Champions”.

"I feel like the leadership skills is what helped me get a part to be in this movie,” he said.

After three auditions, Felder spent two months filming.

"Woody Harrelson, he's a great man. I loved to work with him,” he said of his co-star.

Felder said he also formed special bonds with the actors who played his teammates.

"They deserve to be in this movie just as much as I am. So, you know, we're just making history,” he said.

Felder told Spectrum Bay News 9 he plans to attend another premiere for the film this weekend. He said there’s a message he hopes audiences take from the film.

“I want them to understand that people like us, with any diagnosis, we are willing, we are capable, and we don't let our disabilities define us from doing the things that we love,” said Felder.

Felder said he’s open to the possibility of future acting roles. In addition to his job, he’s also a global ambassador and international board member with Best Buddies. He’s next taking part in the organization’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk fundraiser on April 29 at Raymond James Stadium.