On Saturday, the first ever Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The DARCYs) took place, with projects like hit HBO Max drama “The Pitt” and Sundance breakout “Take Me Home” among the inaugural winners.
The event formerly known as the Media Access Awards recognizes outstanding achievements in authentic disability representation across film, television, and media, honoring the filmmakers, performers, creators, and storytellers helping to reshape narratives and advance disability inclusion across entertainment and pop culture.
It was co-produced by Easterseals Southern California and Film Independent, and hosted by comedian and disability advocate Tina Frim. The ceremony also celebrated Geri Jewell, recipient of the inaugural DARCYS Legacy Award, and Vincent Rutley, recipient of the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award. Award-winning artist and disability culture leader Lachi performed during the ceremony, which took place at The Historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
“As we celebrate the inaugural year of The DARCYS, we are so proud to carry forward a legacy that began in 1979,” Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer, Easterseals Southern California, said as part of the announcement. “The DARCYS recognize the authentic voices and talented storytellers who are changing how disability is seen and represented across entertainment and media. Congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners for helping move the industry forward towards greater inclusion, both on screen and behind the scenes.”
“The DARCYS mark an exciting new chapter in a legacy of recognizing artists advancing disability representation. We’re proud to partner with Easterseals Southern California to celebrate this year’s winners and nominees, as well as the stories helping broaden perspectives across film, television, and social media,” Shawn Davis, Co-Executive Producer of The DARCYS and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, said via a statement.
Attendees for the event included Marlee Matlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lisa Whelchel, John Ortiz, Taylor Dearden, Marissa Bode, Cesily Collette Taylor, Tal Anderson, Scoot McNairy, Abby Elliott, Karen Pittman, Jamie Brewer, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton, Daniel Monks, Jessy Yates, and Matthew Reeve.
The winners were selected through an industry awards process committed to meaningful representation, with nominees and winners determined by committees composed of filmmakers, critics, past Media Access Awards honorees, and representatives from industry guilds and nonprofit organizations. A majority of committee members are individuals with disabilities.
See the full list of nominees, with the winners in bold, for the first ever Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards below.
Best Feature
Presented to the director, writer, producer, and featured talent.
“Color Book”
Director/Writer/Producer: David Fortune
Producers: Autumn Bailey-Ford, Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno
Featured Talent: Jeremiah Daniels
“Espina”
Director/Writer/Producer: Daniel Poler
Producers: Jorge Abarca, Paulina Mondragón, Gloria Ortega, Ari Tan, Frida Torresblanco
Featured Talent: Jonathan Benaim
“Horsegirls” *WINNER*
Director/Writer: Lauren Meyering
Writer/Producer: Mackenzie Breeden
Producers: Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Michael Sherman
Featured Talent: Lillian Carrier, Matthew Schwab
Best Performance in a Feature
Autumn Best
“BRB”
Aidan Delbis
“Bugonia”
Anna Sargent *WINNER*
“Take Me Home”
Best Documentary
Presented to the director and producer.
“The Haunting of Pennhurst” *WINNER*
Directors/Producers: Mike Attie, Katarina Poljak, Nathan R. Stenberg
Producer: Daniel J. Chalfen
“The Ride Ahead”
Director/Producer: Dan Habib
Director: Samuel Habib
“You Look Fine”
Director/Producer: J. Snow
Best Scripted Series
Presented to the creator, executive producer, co-executive producer and featured talent in multiple episodes.
“All Her Fault”
Creator/Executive Producer: Megan Gallagher
Executive Producers: Jennifer Gabler Rawlings, Nigel Marchant, Gareth Neame, Christine Sacani, Sarah Snook, Minkie Spiro, Joanna Strevens
Featured Talent: Daniel Monks
“The Pitt” *WINNER*
Creator/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
Executive Producers: Simran Baidwan, Michael Hissrich, Erin Jontow, Joe Sachs, John Wells, Noah Wyle
Featured Talent: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limer” Flores, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton
“Pulse”
Creator/Executive Producer: Zoe Robyn
Executive Producers: Carlton Cuse, Emma Forman, Bradley Gardner, Michael Klick
Co-Executive Producers: Shepard Boucher, Ann Cherkis, Helen Childress, Johanna Lee, Joshua Troke
Featured Talent: Jessy Yates
Best Performance in a Scripted Series
Liz Carr
“Good Omens”
Daniel Monks *WINNER*
“All Her Fault”
Jessy Yates
“Pulse”
Best Unscripted Series
Presented to the creator, executive producer and co-executive producer.
“Jay & Pamela”
Executive Producers: Julie Insogna-Jarrett, Seth Jarrett, Chaney Moon, David St. John
Co-Executive Producers: Rahel Tennione, Carrie Vandiver Skor
“Love on the Spectrum”
Creator/Executive Producer: Karina Holden, Cian O’Clery
“Renegades” *WINNER*
Creator: Day Al-Mohamed
Series Producer: Amanda Upson
Executive Producers: Michael Kantor, Carrie Lozano, Charlotte Mangin
Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble
Presented to one film’s director or series creator, casting director and featured ensemble cast.
“The Pitt” *WINNER*
Creator/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
Casting Directors: Erica Berger, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond
Featured Ensemble Cast: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limer” Flores, Diana Elizabeth Jordan, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton
Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award
Created by Christopher Reeve, this award is presented to an up-and-coming actor who is living with paralysis in support of their career in entertainment. Includes a $5,000 cash grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
Vincent Rutley *WINNER*
Actor, Disability Influencer, Author
Best Social Creator
Presented to the content creator(s) who host(s) and produce(s) the affiliated account.
Molly Burke
@MollyBurkeOfficial
Cassidy Huff *WINNER*
@CassHuff
The Squeaky Wheel
@thesqkywheel
