Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2025 Archives

thumbnail for The Invalids with a person smiling in a laboratory environment

“The Invalids” Warns of the Consequences of Inspiration Porn

Allen Martsch Apr 14, 2025 Hollywood Inclusion 0 comments

“The Invalids” is a short film written, directed, and edited by Chrissy Marshall (2023 Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab alum) which threads the needle in depicting the exploitation of people with disabilities for a non-disabled audience while also centering disabled characters. Set in a dystopian future that combines the coercive game show elements of “Squid Game” with the unflinching contrast between the haves and have-nots of “The Hunger Games,” we follow Erin and Mira as they try to survive clinical trials.

still from Do No Harm with a person with long red hair in the dark

“Do No Harm” Puts the Impact of Medical Neglect Front and Center

Félix Moreno Apr 14, 2025 Hollywood Inclusion 0 comments

“Do No Harm,” directed by Aiden Keltner and starring creator, writer, and producer Fay Kanesvsky as Heather, highlights the damage caused by medical sexism, neglect, and ableism in just five minutes. Disability Belongs™ Entertainment Lab Alumna Liz Galalis was one of three writers who worked on the project.

Still frame from Don't Take This The Wrong Way with Rachel Handler

“Don’t Take This the Wrong Way” Explores the Exhausting Narrative of Always Feeling “Wrong”

Gwen Cotten Apr 14, 2025 Hollywood Inclusion 0 comments

Microaggressions are unfortunately something many people are familiar with, the disability community included. Constantly navigating uncomfortable conversations with strangers, and sometimes even people close to us. But what happens when constant verbal combat becomes too much? “Don’t Take This the Wrong Way” explores this question, telling the story of how this emotional toll leads to unraveling for the main character, Darcy.

still from Nightmare with a man seated with swords in a stand and old clocks surrounding him

“Nightmare” Blurs Dream from Reality

Ruth Kraus Apr 14, 2025 Hollywood Inclusion 0 comments

Have you ever had one of those moments where you are not sure if you are dreaming, or worse – having a nightmare? That queasy uncertainty pervades within the short film, “Nightmare,” directed by Zach Damon. In five suspenseful minutes, Damon pulls viewers into a creepy realm where folklore, fear, and reality are mixed.