The inaugural Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards, known as The Darcys, announced their first winners at a ceremony held at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The event celebrated authentic disability representation across media, television, and film.
Major Category Winners
Among the top winners, “The Pitt” secured the awards for Best Scripted Series and Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble. Additional winners included “Horsegirls” for Best Feature and Daniel Monks, who won Best Performance in a Scripted Series for his role in “All Her Fault.”
Other category honorees featured Anna Sargent for Best Performance in a Feature in “Take Me Home,” and “The Haunting of Pennhurst” taking Best Documentary. The unscripted category recognized “Renegades,” while Cassidy Huff was named Best Social Creator.
Special Honors and Broadcast Details
Comedian and disability advocate Tina Friml hosted the ceremony, which featured a performance by artist, songwriter, and disability culture leader Lachi. Special awards were presented to Geri Jewell, who received the Legacy Award, and Vincent Rutley, who was honored with the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award.
Nancy Weintraub, chief advancement officer of Easterseals Southern California, noted that the awards carry forward a legacy that began in 1979 to recognize authentic voices in storytelling. Shawn Davis, co-executive producer of the event alongside Andrew Schaff and live digital executive producer Eddie Delbridge, stated that the initiative marks a new chapter in celebrating artists advancing disability representation. A majority of the selection committee members were individuals with disabilities.
The Darcys ceremony is scheduled to premiere on PBS SoCal Plus on November 17, with a repeat broadcast on November 20, and will also be available for streaming on the PBS app.
