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Easterseals Disability Services and Film Independent have announced the nominations for the inaugural Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (The DARCYS), said to recognize outstanding achievement in authentic disability representation across film, television, and social media, honoring filmmakers, performers, and creators who are reshaping narratives and setting a new standard for disability inclusion.
Among the list of nominees are current Emmy contenders “The Pitt” on HBO Max, and “All Her Fault” on Peacock, plus films like “Color Book,” and actors like “Bugonia” breakout Aidan Delbis.
Formerly known as the Media Access Awards, the inaugural DARCYS awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Tina Friml, and take place on Saturday, October 10, at The Historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show, which will give out awards for nine competitive categories, plus its first-ever Legacy Award to actor, comedian, activist, author and speaker Geri Jewell, will be broadcast on PBS SoCal (date TBD), with rebroadcasts on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings).
“As we launch The DARCYS, we are thrilled to honor the extraordinary talent helping to reshape the way disability is seen and understood,” said Mark Whitley, President & CEO of Easterseals Southern California, “and proud to have Tina Friml bring her unique voice, humor and perspective to this celebration of authentic representation. From the nominees who are telling powerful, authentic stories, to Geri Jewell, whose groundbreaking career opened doors for generations to come, this year’s honorees embody the progress we want to see across entertainment and popular culture.”
The ceremony is co-produced by Film Independent Spirit Awards’ Executive Producers Shawn Davis and Andrew Schaff, in collaboration with Live Digital Entertainment Executive Producer Eddie Delbridge.
“I can’t wait to celebrate this extraordinary group of nominees who are bringing their talent, creativity and unique voices to our industry,” added Davis via statement. “It’s inspiring to see the work they’re doing, the impact they’re making and the ways they are helping shape the future of entertainment. I’m equally excited to be working with Tina Friml as our host. Tina brings such a fresh, fearless and hilarious perspective to everything she does, and I look forward to seeing her bring that energy, joy and incredible sense of humor to the DARCYS stage.”
See the full list of nominees 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”
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
“Take Me Home”
Best Documentary
Presented to the director and producer.
“The Haunting of Pennhurst”
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”
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
“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”
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”
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
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
@CassHuff
The Squeaky Wheel
@thesqkywheel
English (US) ·