On Saturday, the first Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The Darcys) took place, with inaugural winners including projects like the hit HBO Max drama “The Pit” and Sundance breakout “Take Me Home.”
The program, formerly known as the Media Access Awards, recognizes outstanding achievements in authentic disability representation in film, television and media, honoring filmmakers, artists, creators and storytellers who help reshape narratives and advance disability inclusion in entertainment and pop culture.
It was co-produced by Easterseals Southern California and Film Independent and hosted by comedian and disability advocate Tina Frimm. The ceremony also celebrated Gerry 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 Lachey performed during the ceremony, which took place at Santa Monica’s historic Barker Hangar.
“As we celebrate The Darcys’ inaugural year, we are very proud to carry forward the legacy that began in 1979,” Nancy Weintraub, chief advancement officer, EasternSeales Southern California, said as part of the announcement. “DARCYS recognizes authentic voices and talented storytellers who are changing the way disability is viewed and represented in entertainment and media. Congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners for helping move the industry toward greater inclusion on and behind the screen.”
“The DARCYS marks an exciting new chapter in the 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 that help broaden perspectives in film, television and social media,” Shawn Davis, co-executive producer of The DARCYS and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, said via a statement.
Attendees at the event included Marlee Matlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lisa Whelchel, John Ortiz, Taylor Dearden, Marissa Bode, Cecily Colette Taylor, Tal Anderson, Scooter McNairy, Abby Elliott, Karen Pittman, Jamie Brewer, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton, Daniel Monks, Jesse 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. Most of the committee members are persons with disabilities.
See the full list of nominees for the first Easterseals Disability Arts and Culture Awards, with winners in bold, below.
best feature
Directors, writers, producers and elite talents were presented.
“Coloring Book”
Director/Writer/Producer: David Fortune
Producer: Autumn Bailey-Ford, Kia Klingman, Kristen Uno
Special Talent: Jeremiah Daniels
“Espina”
Director/Writer/Producer: Daniel Polar
Producers: Jorge Abarca, Paulina Mondragon, Gloria Ortega, Ari Tan, Frida Torresblanco
Special Talent: Jonathan Benaim
“Horsegirls” *WINNER*
Director/Writer: Lauren Mayering
Writer/Creator: Mackenzie Breeden
Producer: Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Michael Sherman
Special Talent: Lillian Carrier, Matthew Schwab
Best performance in a feature
autumn best
“brb”
aidan delbis
“Bugonia”
anna sergeant *winner*
“Take me home”
Best Documentary
Presented to the director and producer.
“The Haunting of Pennhurst” *winner*
Directors/Producers: Mike Attie, Katrina Poljack, Nathan R. steinberg
Producer: Daniel J. chalfen
“Ride Forward”
Director/Producer: Dan Habib
Director: Samuel Habib
“You are looking good”
Director/Producer: J. snow
Best Scripted Series
Producers, executive producers, co-executive producers, and talent featured in multiple episodes were presented.
“All the fault”
Creator/Executive Producer: Megan Gallagher
Executive Producers: Jennifer Gabler Rawlings, Nigel Merchant, Gareth Neame, Christine Saccani, Sarah Snook, Minky Spiro, Joanna Strevens
Special Talent: Daniel Monks
“The Pit” *winner*
Producer/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
Executive Producers: Simran Baidwan, Michael Hissrich, Erin Jonto, Joe Sachs, John Wells, Noah Wyle
Special Talents: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limmer” Flores, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton
“pulse”
Creator/Executive Producer: Zoe Robin
Executive Producers: Carlton Cuse, Emma Forman, Bradley Gardner, Michael Click
Co-Executive Producers: Shepard Boucher, Ann Cherkis, Helen Childress, Johanna Lee, Joshua Troke
Special Talent: Jesse Yates
Best Performance in a Scripted Series
Liz Carr
“lucky cue”
Daniel Monks *winner*
“All the fault”
jesse yates
“pulse”
Best Unscripted Series
Presented to producer, executive producer and co-executive producer.
“Jay and Pamela”
Executive Producers: Julie Insogna-Jarrett, Seth Jarrett, Chaney Moon, David St. John
Co-Executive Producers: Rachel Tenion, Carrie Vandiver Score
“Love on the Spectrum”
Creator/Executive Producer: Karina Holden, Sian O’Clery
“renegade” *winner*
Producer: Day Al-Mohammed
Series creator: Amanda Upson
Executive Producers: Michael Kantor, Cary Lozano, Charlotte Mangin
Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble
Presented to a film’s director or series producer, casting director, and featured cast members.
“The Pit” *winner*
Producer/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
Casting Directors: Erica Berger, Kathy Sandrich Gelfond
Featured ensemble cast: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limmer” Flores, Diana Elizabeth Jordan, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton
Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award
Created by Christopher Reeve, the award is presented to an emerging actor who is living with paralysis in support of his or her career in entertainment. It includes a $5,000 cash grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
Vincent Rutley *winner*
Actor, Disability Influencer, Author
Best Social Creator
The content is presented to the creator(s) who host and create the affiliate account.
molly burke
@MollyBurkeOfficial
cassidy huff *winner*
@casehuff
squeaky wheel
@thesqkywheel