EASTERSEALS DISABILITY ARTS & CULTURE AWARDS - FILM SUBMISSIONS CATEGORIES:

All eligible narrative films are considered for Best Feature. Award is given to the writer(s), director(s) and producer(s). Story by, co-producers, executive producers, associate producers and line producers are not eligible. Best Performance in a Feature: Performers with a disability in either a lead or supporting role in a narrative film; performance nominees will be selected from submitted narrative features. Performances cannot be independently submitted.

Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award: Created by Christopher Reeve, this award is presented to an up-and-coming disabled actor in support of their career in entertainment, selected from eligible submissions in both Film and TV. The performer must be living with paralysis. Talent is presented with an award at the DARCYS and given a $5,000 cash grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

Achievement in Casting Ensemble Award: All eligible narrative features and scripted series are considered for Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble Award. Honoring a Casting Director that, in collaboration with the Director and Cast, goes above and beyond to authentically cast disabled talent and/or in roles not originally conceived and scripted as a person with a disability. Award is given to the Casting Director, Director, and Main Cast.

 All eligible documentary films are considered for Best Documentary. The award is given to the director(s) and producer(s). Co-producers, executive producers, associate producers and line producers are not eligible.

FILM SUBMISSIONS TIMELINE 

Submissions Open: June 16, 2026

Early Deadline: June 22, 2026 / Fee: $25

Regular Deadline: July 3, 2026 / Fee: $50

Final Deadline: July 14, 2026 / Fee: $75

Nominations Announced: August 2026

MISSION

The Disability Arts and Culture Awards (DARCYS) honor excellence in representation and inclusion across the full spectrum of disability in film, television, digital and emerging media. We celebrate storytellers and changemakers who are reshaping narratives, eliminating stereotypes, and setting the standard for disability inclusion across the entertainment industry.

VISION

The Disability Arts and Culture Awards (DARCYS) strives for authentic disability representation and inclusion as a driving creative force in all forms of media.

CORE CRITERIA

For all categories, Nominating Committees will utilize the following criteria in shaping their selections. Submissions must possess these criteria to qualify for consideration.  

1. Accurate Representation: Content must showcase authentic casting and representation of disabled talent in front of and/or behind the camera. Nominated content ideally brings authentic, multi-dimensional representation of disability to the forefront irrespective of the plots and/or themes of the content.   

2. Impact: Content ideally has reached new audiences or sparked dialogue to provide significant impact for disability arts and culture.

3. Overall Quality and Inclusion: High quality content that embodies uniqueness of vision, original/provocative subject matter and inclusion of people with disabilities both in front of and/or behind the camera.