The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is back for its 11th year! From April 2-7, participants will have the opportunity to write and produce short films that promote disability inclusion. This year, there’s something even more exciting in store for the winners. In addition to the usual awards, such as cash, technology, mentorships, and screening opportunities, the challenge will now offer ten $15,000 grants. These grants will be awarded to the winners of the best film, best director, best writer, best actor, and best editor categories, allowing them to further develop their projects. Past EDFC participants will also have a chance to win five additional grants. All winners will be announced at the EDFC awards ceremony on May 9 at Sony Pictures Studios.
“Hollywood has only begun to tap into the power of inclusion and to showcase this significant segment of our society,” said Mark Whitley, president and CEO of Easterseals Southern California. “The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers, actors, and their crews an opportunity to change the way we all experience and understand disability.”
Transforming the Film Industry, One Short Film at a Time
For the challenge, filmmakers have five days to write and produce short films. The films should be one to five minutes long and must be based on the announced genre for the year. This year’s genre is buddy comedy, and it was announced at the Sundance Film Festival. But that’s not all! The films must also promote disability inclusion. They will be judged in the five aforementioned categories, plus one additional category for the best awareness campaign.
The challenge was initiated in 2013 by actor, comedian, and producer Nic Novicki. It was a response to the lack of representation for talent with disabilities in the film industry. The challenge aims to give aspiring filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and gain meaningful exposure. In 2017, the challenge joined forces with Easterseals Southern California, a leading nonprofit supporting individuals and families with disabilities. Since then, the event has been known as the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
“As we continue to strive to build a more diverse and inclusive workplace in Hollywood, we have made advancements, but there is still much work to be done,” said Novicki. “Disability continues to be frequently overlooked in D&I discussions, and we need to be part of that conversation. I created the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge to help accelerate change and to showcase talented filmmakers and actors, providing them with an opportunity to overcome barriers and achieve their dreams. We are proud of the outstanding films produced over the past 11 years. I am grateful that the Challenge has provided a high-profile platform that has enabled many of our participants to go on to such prominent success.”
Making a Lasting Impact
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge has already had a significant impact on its participants. Previous winners and participants have landed roles or directed segments in films and TV shows such as “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “New Amsterdam,” “Superstore,” “The Good Doctor,” “Loudermilk,” “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” among others. Challenge films have also earned awards at various film festivals, and participants have received accolades and grants from organizations worldwide, including the AT&T Underrepresented Award.
“Saying yes to my first Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and facing my fear of the unknown literally put me on the path that I was meant to be on,” shared Danny Gomez, an actor. “A wheelchair user who will be participating in the Film Challenge for the seventh time this year. It showed me that anything is possible for disabled actors. There is a place for us in this industry. It also led to me signing with my first agent and to my first guest star on NBC’s ‘New Amsterdam.’ It was life-changing.”
Join the Challenge and Make a Difference
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is made possible by the support of various organizations, including Adobe Foundation, Amazon MGM Studios, Dell Technologies, Golden Globe Foundation, IMDbPro, Intel, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Studios.
Registration for the event will open on January 20 at the Disability Film Challenge’s website. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be a part of a movement that is transforming the film industry and promoting disability inclusion. Start brainstorming ideas, gather your team, and get ready to create an impactful short film that could change lives. Let your talent shine and make a difference.