The Pitt and Take Me Home Win at Inaugural DARCYS Awards

The inaugural Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards, known as The DARCYS, took place on Saturday at The Historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, honoring authentic disability representation in film, television, and media. Hit HBO Max hospital drama The Pitt and Sundance breakout Take Me Home emerged among the inaugural winners, as IndieWire reported.

The Historic Barker Hangar Ceremony Recognizes The Pitt and Horsegirls

The event formerly known as the Media Access Awards honors filmmakers, performers, creators, and storytellers reshaping narratives across pop culture. Co-produced by Easterseals Southern California and Film Independent, the ceremony was hosted by comedian and disability advocate Tina Frim and featured a performance by award-winning artist and disability culture leader Lachi.

In the feature categories, Lauren Meyering won Best Feature for directing and writing Horsegirls, which she produced alongside Mackenzie Breeden, Alix Madigan-Yorkin, and Michael Sherman. Anna Sargent won Best Performance in a Feature for Take Me Home, while the documentary winner was The Haunting of Pennhurst, directed and produced by Mike Attie, Katarina Poljak, and Nathan R. Stenberg, with production by Daniel J. Chalfen.

Easterseals Southern California and Film Independent Detail Industry Inclusion

As we celebrate the inaugural year of The DARCYS, we are so proud to carry forward a legacy that began in 1979, Nancy Weintraub, Chief Advancement Officer at Easterseals Southern California, stated as part of the announcement. The DARCYS recognize the authentic voices and talented storytellers who are changing how disability is seen and represented across entertainment and media.

The event also celebrated Geri Jewell as the recipient of the inaugural DARCYS Legacy Award. Vincent Rutley received the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award, which includes a $5,000 cash grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

In an official statement, Film Independent Spirit Awards and The DARCYS Co-Executive Producer Shawn Davis shared his thoughts.

Additional Category Winners and Industry Committee Selections

A specialized industry awards evaluation system determined the nominees and honorees, relying on panels made up of critics, directors and filmmakers, alumni of the Media Access Awards, and delegates representing non-profit groups and professional guilds.

Daniel Monks won Best Performance in a Scripted Series for All Her Fault.

Cassidy Huff won Best Social Creator for her account @CassHuff. The famous figures spotted at the Santa Monica location consisted of Marlee Matlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lisa Whelchel, John Ortiz, Taylor Dearden, Marissa Bode, Cesily Collette Taylor, Tal Anderson, Scoot McNairy, Abby Elliott, Karen Pittman, Jamie Brewer, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton, Daniel Monks, Jessy Yates, and Matthew Reeve.