'Don't Forget to Dance' Honored as Top Film at Easterseals Disability Film Challenge

The cinematic work "Don't Forget to Dance" secured the prestigious Best Film award at this year's Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. The accolades were distributed during a ceremony held Thursday evening within the renowned Sony Pictures Studios, Variety reports. Additional noteworthy productions, including "The Ticket," were also among those recognized for their exceptional contributions. The challenge, which centered on the dramedy genre for its 2026 iteration, saw an impressive collection of submissions. A record-breaking 144 entries were received this year, highlighting growing participation and interest in the event. Gabriel Vergel De Dios received recognition for Best Director for his work on "My Own," while the film "Mar's Melodies" earned Nico Greetham the Best Actor award. The prize for Best Actress was presented to Cara Garrity for her role in "See Through." Furthermore, "Reunited" was celebrated for achieving Best Awareness Campaign, and "The Ticket" collected its second award for Best Editor, attributed to director and editor Josh Ruben. The Best Writer award went to Rachel Handler for the script of "The Ticket." Other notable winners included Kiah Stern for Best Cinematographer for "Reunited" and Natalie Jenison for Best Ensemble, acknowledging her work across several entries. The awards underscore a commitment to fostering diverse storytelling and recognizing talent within the disability community in the film industry. The annual competition provides a vital platform for creators to showcase narratives focusing on disability, encouraging both established and emerging artists. The substantial number of submissions this year reflects a vibrant and expanding community of filmmakers dedicated to this essential genre. The event continues to be a significant fixture in promoting inclusive representation and narratives in motion pictures.