Writer, Producer, and Actor Rachel Handler who’s been participating in the challenge since year 1, says the EDFC creates “a supportive community for disabled artists. And having that support system is so key to surviving and thriving in this industry.” Thanks for your support and

Oscar-winning Director Peter Farrelly (Green Book, Dumb & Dumber) presented at our 2024 Awards and talks about the secret to finding talented disabled artists is to check out the work from the EDFC! He says, there’s so much talent “you’d be blown away.” Thank you for your long

Best Writer finalists and stars of the film ADOPTIVE, Joseph Kibler and Carey Leigh Cox, talk about what it means to be a part of the film challenge. Carey says, "We need more disabled people telling their own stories." Joseph says, "We can all come together and try such unique

I want to give a big thank you to Daniel Sol and Theo Dumont the co founders of HollyShorts (HSFF) Congrats on 20 years! When I created the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 12 years ago they agreed to screen our winning films at the @chinesetheatres back in 2014. Now we have 750 #edfc films created!

Autism Advocate and Actor Alex Plank joined us at the 2024 EDFC Awards. He says, "authentic representation is important because people want to see stories that are real." Thank you for bridging the gap between the disability community and the entertainment world, Alex! ID:

Help us wish the Director and Founder of the EDFC, Nic Novicki, a happy birthday! At this year’s awards he said when he had the idea to create the film challenge it was to not “wait for Hollywood to come to us. Let’s create our own opportunities.” Thanks for your vision and all

Director and editor, Scott Klumb, received our Adobe Alumni grant for his EDFC film AUTISM ABILITY(which won Scott our best editor award). He says being a part of the film challenge is important as it gives people with disabilities “a chance to make films in a world that isn’t

Congratulations to two longtime Easterseals Disability Film Challenge participants John Lawson and Tobias Forrest who star in the groundbreaking film DARUMA executive produced by Peter Farrelly that attained distribution and will be available on VOD and in theaters this fall!

Actor Sheaun McKinney from the hit CBS show The Neighborhood presented at our 2024 EDFC Awards. He says, "we must tell our stories the way that we know those stories." Thank you for your support, Sheaun! ID: Sheaun stands in a gray suit with a black turtleneck and gold chain in

Have you been following the Paralympics? It’s a great way to support the disability community from around the world! @nbcolympics is broadcasting the events. Visit nbcolympics.com to check out the schedule and how to watch! #paralympics #disabilitypride

Actor and Producer Sommer Carbuccia received our Alumni Adobe grant for his film MAC & CHEESE (which won best film in 2022). He says, "I think if we have authentic representation, it opens up more awareness, but also more jobs for all of us." Thank you for your impactful

I have a new reel thank you Easterseals HQ Easterseals Disability Film Challenge tiktok.com/t/ZTNoPEfFu/

We are so proud to see many great EDFC films screened at film festivals around the world. To help our alumni navigate the film festival industry we are producing a film festival strategy day to walk you through the process at the AFI Institute (AFI) on Thursday,

Oscar winning Director Siân Heder (CODA) presented at our 2024 Awards. She says the disability community is largely underrepresented in the media and programs like the EDFC are raising awareness as there are amazing stories within this community that should be told. Thanks for

Lee Pugsley producer and actor in the 2024 Best Film winner AUDIO DESCRIPTION says, “as someone that has a disabiilty, we can’t wait for other people to create things for us, we got to be the ones creating things...” We agree, Lee! Thanks for your great work and congrats on

Or partners at NewFilmmakers LA and @NALIP are back with STARZ for a third season of the @starztakethelead Writers’ Intensive to support aspiring TV writers from underrepresented backgrounds who desire to make their mark in the world of premium cable. The STARZ #TakeTheLead Writers’

Editor Sean Keough from the nominated film BEST FRIENDS FOREVER says participating on the film was a great opportunity to “try new things in an environment that’s a lot of fun and creative...” Nirmal Singh colorist and editor on the film says he’s happy the film challenge is

We had a blast at our Film Festival Strategy workshop held at @americanfilm We learned from industry professionals including Chris Merrill (AFI Fest), Imani Davis (PROOF/American Cinematheque), Theo Dumont (HollyShorts), Nidhin Patel (NFMLA), Peter Baxter (Slamdance), Juliet