Some of Hollywood’s brightest disabled talents and future stars are on display in this year’s Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. Disabled comedian and actor Nick Novicki started the challenge to highlight the abundance of underutilized disabled talent in the entertainment industry. 13 years later, the annual event is going strong with 144 entrants in this year’s competition.  

Teams with at least one disabled person behind or in front of the camera have five days to write, film and edit films that can be no longer than five minutes. Each year organizers choose a different theme and provide short lists of settings, story elements and props that must be included to prove the short is original. This year’s theme was dramedy.  

The time restraints and rules are a big part of the appeal for many contributors. “I like the extremeness of it,” says Andy Arias. Arias co-wrote and starred in Battle Cry this year, and has participated in four previous films, one of which earned him a best actor nomination. “We wrote it one day, then we shot it another day, and then we edited it after that. I like the intensity of it, because you have to be very intentional, and it raises the stakes to where you have to be your best self.” 

Arias wrote Battle Cry with his friend Angela Rockwood, a former Push Girl, as a tribute to Auti Angel, a beloved dancer and entertainer who passed in 2022.  

“Auti was a pioneer in our community for Latin entertainment and Latin people with disabilities, and I remember the last time I spoke to her, she was like, ‘Now it’s up to you,’” he says. “This film honors her, because I feel like a lot of [people in] the community don’t know her or the impact that she had.” 

As a queer, Latinx, disabled creator, Arias strives to show perspectives that are not commonly depicted in the media. He says the Film Challenge fits that goal perfectly. 

“The industry is so lacking in representation with disability. They hold up maybe one or two films a year around disability, and that’s not even saying that it’s authentic disability representation. I think these films can be catalyst for many unsung actors and talent that won’t even get the opportunity to be in some rooms 

You can watch all 144 submissions on YouTube, and find out more about the competition and how to enter next year on the official website. Finalists will be announced May 3 and winners will be announced May 7.