The Darcy Awards FAQs

Official rules, regulations and eligibility requirements for the 2026 Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture (DARCYS) Awards

The DARCYS Submissions Rules & Regulations

How do I submit my project to be considered for the 2026 Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards?

We will accept submissions for the 2026 DARCYS from June 16, 2026 through July 14, 2026. A link to this year’s official submission form is available on the DARCYS landing page. Detailed information about this year’s DARCYS rules, regulations and eligibility requirements is available via the link above.

What’s the deadline for 2026 DARCYS submissions?

Early Deadline: June 22, 2026
● Fee: $25
Regular Deadline: July 3, 2026
● Fee: $50
Final Deadline: July 14, 2026
● Fee: $75

Do you grant extensions on entries?

For individual submitters with accessibility requests or additional considerations related to the submissions process, fees and deadlines, please contact Drea Clark at dclark@filmindependent.org.

When will DARCYs nominations be announced?

The 2026 Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards nominations announcement for all categories will be the week of August 23, 2026.

What makes a film/series eligible for a DARCY?

DARCYS rules, regulations and eligibility requirements are available on this page.

Who decides which films/series/social creators are nominated?

• Film Independent assembles nominating committees comprised of passionate, working members of the film community. 
• Committees typically include a mix of film critics, programmers, producers, directors, writers, previous Media Access Awards winners and industry members.
• Film Independent staff are not voting members of any of our nominating committees. 
• No less than 70% of committee members are people with disabilities. 
• We have separate committees for Film & TV nominations and Social Creator nominations. 
• Nominating committees select both the nominees and the award winners.

Is there a budget ceiling for nominated films?

There is not a budget ceiling for the Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards.

Do you accept short films?

No. All submitted films must be at least 70 minutes long.

Do you accept animated films?

Yes, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can I submit a television series that is in its second or third season?

Yes. The Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards television categories are open to eligible series in any season as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.

What is the DARCYS nomination process?

It’s a rigorous process that begins in early summer and runs until the nominations are announced. Eligible submitted titles are distributed to the appropriate committees and discussed at regular meetings throughout the summer. The nominees in each category are determined by the committees during final deliberation meetings, held just prior to the nominations announcement(s).

What are the core criteria for awards consideration?

The DARCYS Nominating Committees consider and apply the following guidelines in making their 
selections:

Overall Quality and Inclusion: The committees look for 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.

Accurate Representation: Nominated 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.

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

What are the categories for nomination?

The DARCYs nomination categories are as follows:

Best Feature: 3 nominees selected (awarded to writer, director and producers)

Best Documentary: 3 nominees selected (awarded to director and producers)

Best Performance in a Feature: 3 nominees selected (must be a person with a disability in either a lead or supporting role)

Best Unscripted Series: 3 nominees selected (awarded to director/showrunner/creator)

Best Scripted Series: 3 nominees selected (awarded to showrunner/creator/EP)

Best Performer in Series: 3 nominees selected (must be a person with a disability in either a lead or supporting role)

Social Creator: 3 nominees selected (awarded to content creator/duo)

Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award: one awardee selected (performer must be living with 
paralysis)

Achievements in Casting Ensemble Award in Film: one awardee selected (awarded to Casting Director, Director and Main Cast) 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.

How do the DARCYS define an “American” narrative feature?

The Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards defines an “American production” as:

A film in which U.S. citizens or permanent residents are credited in at least two of the following positions: director, writer or producer. This can be fulfilled by one person with multiple duties or by separate individuals

OR

The film is set, in significant part, in the United States and/or has significant American content.

The Spirit Awards nominating committees and Film Independent reserve the right to determine if a film qualifies as an International or American Narrative. The language and/or citizenship/nationality of a film’s cast are not taken into consideration.

Can I invite members of the nominating committees to a screening of my film or send them any materials?

No. The identities of the nominating committee members remain anonymous and confidential. Please follow the directions on the DARCYS submission form and submit all screening schedules, screeners and materials to the DARCYS nominations staff.

How can I attend the awards ceremony?

To learn more about attending the DARCYS and supporting Easterseals, please contact Brynne Jones at 
brynne.jones@essc.org.

How can my company partner with the Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards?

There are many opportunities to partner with the DARCYs and enjoy recognition, audience engagement and attendance benefits. To learn more about how your company can partner with us, contact Brynne Jones at brynne.jones@essc.org.

I’ve read this full FAQ and I still have questions about submitting my film. Is there someone I can talk to?

Of course! Please send any queries to dclark@filmindependent.org.