2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Winners Honored at Sony Pictures Studios
The 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge celebrated its 2026 winners Thursday night during an awards ceremony at Sony Pictures Studios, recognizing filmmakers advancing authentic disability representation in Hollywood.
This year’s challenge featured the “Dramedy” genre and drew a record 144 submissions from filmmakers around the world. Participants were given just five days in March to write, shoot and complete original short films promoting disability inclusion both in front of and behind the camera.
Actor, comedian and producer Nic Novicki praised the event’s continued impact on the entertainment industry.
“It was a magical night that once again put a spotlight on authentic storytelling and disability inclusion in Hollywood,” Novicki said in a statement.
Novicki, who founded and directs the challenge while serving on the board of Easterseals Southern California, emphasized the importance of ensuring people with disabilities are represented at every level of filmmaking.
Winners receive career-building support including a $2,000 cash prize, mentorship opportunities with entertainment executives, screenings at Academy Award-qualifying festivals, Dell Technologies computers, IMDbPro memberships and Film Independent memberships provided by the Golden Globe Foundation.
Major entertainment and technology companies backing the challenge included Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discovery and The Walt Disney Studios.
Full List of 2026 Winners
- Best Film presented by Sony Pictures:
Don’t Forget to Dance — directed by Tim Bartow - Best Director presented by NBCUniversal:
The Ticket — Jayla Hodge, Jaylin Hodge and Jerah Milligan - Best Actor presented by IMDbPro:
Neighborhood Watch — Vincent Rutley - Best Writer presented by Netflix:
Crip Club — Aya Obeid and Shan Hafez - Best Editor presented by Paramount:
The Ticket — Tony Pape - Best Awareness presented by Amazon MGM Studios:
Back to the Dark Ages — Anna Pakman