Easterseals Disability Film Challenge

Overview

Welcome to the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. This year’s film competition gives filmmakers—with and without disabilities—the opportunity to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms, through innovative filmmaking. Special note. We do not accept pre-shot films. You must register and create your film during our contest dates of March 24th - March 29 2026. At least one participant on every team must have a disability. The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is a film making competition, open to all, where teams create and produce a short film (1-5 minutes in length). Challenge winners receive invaluable access to entertainment professionals, opening the door to an industry notoriously difficult to enter. This includes impactful mentorship meetings with high-level executives and other valuable prize packages including cash production grants, Dell Computers, industry memberships and more. The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge has been taking place annually for 12 years, and we encourage you to join us. Register today and be sure to also visit disabilityfilmchallenge.com and fill out an information form about your team!

Last updated Sep 4, 2026

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FilmFreeway communityGold festival

• Filmmaker

  This film festival brings out the filmmaker in you. I really appreciate working with their CEO Nic Novicki and the stars, and sponsors connected with them.They rock!

• Filmmaker

  Such a great opportunity for creatives with disabilities who are interested in all aspects of filmmaking. It is a challenge but almost guarantees that you'll have a blast in the process.

• Filmmaker

  The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge has changed my life and afforded me the opportunity to blossom as a filmmaker. Nic Novicki and team are knowledgeable, supportive and devoted to catapulting disability representation in the entertainment industry. From the industry partnerships, educational workshops preceding the challenge to the outstanding awards ceremony, the wealth of camaraderie from this community of disabled creators is absolutely priceless.

• Filmmaker

  Love the work that Nic and the team are doing to increase disability awareness. So great to be a part of the challenge year after year.

• Filmmaker

  I had such an amazing experience as a first-time entrant in this year’s Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, creating my first ever short film with a fierce team of disabled and non-disabled artists. I never thought about calling myself a filmmaker, but this challenge changed that. The way this challenge is run made the entire process enjoyable and Nic does a wonderful job of being so supportive throughout the duration, as well as after. What an incredible platform and opportunity for disabled artists, for collaboration, and for the disability community. I’m so proud of all the entries this year and can’t wait for next!

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