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On Saturday, the first Easterseals Disability Arts and Culture Awards (The DARCYs) took place, with projects such as HBO Max drama “The Pitt” and Sundance smash “Take Me Home” among the first winners.
The event, formerly known as the Media Access Awards, recognizes outstanding achievements in authentic disability representation across film, television, and media, honoring filmmakers, actors, creators, and storytellers who are 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 first DARCYS Legacy Award, and Vincent Rutley, recipient of the Christopher Reeve Prayer Talent Award. Acclaimed artist and disability culture leader Lachi performed at 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 on a legacy that began in 1979,” said Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer, Easterseals Southern California, as part of the announcement. “The DARCYS recognizes authentic voices and talented storytellers who are changing the way disability is perceived and represented across entertainment and media. Congratulations to the nominees and winners for helping move the industry forward towards greater inclusion, both on screen and behind the scenes.”
“The DARCYS marks an exciting new chapter in a legacy of recognizing artists advancing disability representation. We are proud to partner with Easterseals Southern California to celebrate this year’s winners and nominees, as well as the stories that help expand perspectives across film, television and social media,” said Shawn Davis, Co-Executive Producer of the DARCYS and Film Independent Spirit Awards, in a statement.
Attendees included Marlee Matlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lisa Whelchel, John Ortiz, Taylor Dearden, Marissa Bode, Cecily Collette Taylor, Tal Anderson, Scoot McNairy, Abby Elliott, Karen Pittman, Jamie Brewer, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton, Daniel Monks, Jessy Yates, and Matthew Reeves.
The winners were selected through an industry awards process committed to meaningful representation, with nominees and winners determined by committees made up of filmmakers, critics, Media Access Awards honorees, and representatives from industry and non-profit organizations. Most of the committee members are people with disabilities.
See the full list of nominees, with the winners in bold, for the inaugural Easterseaals Disability Arts and Culture Awards below.
Best Feature
Presented to the director, writer, producer and special talent.
“Coloring Book”
Director/Writer/Producer: David Fortune
Producers: Autumn Bailey-Ford, Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno
Special Talent: Jeremiah Daniels
“thorn”
Director/Writer/Producer: Daniel Poler
Producers: Jorge Abarca, Paulina Mondragón, Gloria Ortega, Ari Tan, Frida Torresblanco
Special Talent: Jonathan Benaim
“Horsegirls” *Winner*
Director/Writer: Lauren Meyering
Writer/Producer: Mackenzie Breeden
Producers: Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Michael Sherman
Special Talent: Lillian Carrier, Matthew Schwab
Best Performance in a Feature
Best of Autumn
“BRB”
Aidan Delbis
“Bugonia”
Anne Sargent *winner*
“take me home”
Best Documentary
Presented to director and producer.
“The Haunting of Pennhurst” *winner*
Directors/Producers: Mike Attie, Katarina Poljak, Nathan R. Stenberg
Producer: Daniel J. Chalfen
“The Journey Ahead”
Director/Producer: Dan Habib
Director: Samuel Habib
“You look good”
Director/Producer: J. Snow
Best Scripted Series
Presented to the creator, executive producer, co-executive producer and talent in various programs.
“all faults”
Creator/Executive Producer: Megan Gallagher
Executive Producers: Jennifer Gabler Rawlings, Nigel Marchant, Gareth Neame, Christine Sacani, Sarah Snook, Minkie Spiro, Joanna Strevens
Special 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
Special Talent: Jessy Yates
Best Performance in a Scripted Series
Liz Carr
“good master”
Daniel Monk *winner*
“all faults”
Jessie Yates
“Pulse”
The best series without registration
Presented to the creator, executive producer and co-executive producer.
“Jay & Pamela”
Executive Producers: Julie Insogna-Jarrett, Seth Jarrett, Chaney Moon, David St.
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 Performance in an Ensemble Casting
Presented to the director or creator of a single film series, casting director and ensemble actor.
“The Pitt” *winner*
Creator/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
Casting Directors: Erica Berger, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond
Outstanding Ensemble Cast: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limer” Flores, Diana Elizabeth Jordan, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton
Christopher Reeve Prayer Talent Award
Created by Christopher Reeve, this award is given to an actor who is surviving 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
The Best Social Creator
Presented to the content creator(s) who host(s) and make the linked account.
Molly Burke
@MollyBurkeOfficial
Cassidy Huff *winner*
@CassHuff
The Squeaky Wheel
@thesqkywheel
