Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2024: The Great Cosmic Hoax

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eileengrubba_the-great-cosmic-hoax-2024-easterseals-activity-7185742830273736705-jT1e/

Two tech geniuses, in defiance of being kept out of work due to their disabilities, exhausted by living in poverty, create hoax videos and pranks in their garage home studio to make the world believe Aliens are real, but… are they?

Are you ready to be inspired and amazed by the incredible talents of individuals in the disabled community? The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge presents “The Great Cosmic Hoax 2024,” a project that showcases the creativity and skills of people with disabilities. Join us in supporting this initiative and help us make a difference!

Summary

Two tech geniuses, in defiance of being kept out of work due to their disabilities, exhausted by living in poverty, create hoax videos and pranks in their garage home studio to make the world believe Aliens are real, but… are they?
Call to Action: Support the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge by sharing the film “The Great Cosmic Hoax 2024” everywhere.
We need worldwide support so our industry will pay attention and realize the value and skills of people in the disabled community.
Participants have 55 hours to write, shoot, and edit their films, showcasing their creativity and storytelling abilities within a limited time frame.
By leveraging the power of film and storytelling, the challenge is able to amplify the voices and experiences of individuals with disabilities, highlighting their strengths, resilience, and humanity.
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is a groundbreaking initiative that is helping to shift the paradigm in the film industry and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for filmmakers and actors with disabilities.

Introduction
Film Production
Cast & Crew
Call to Action

Introduction

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge aims to raise awareness about the talents and capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The film “The Great Cosmic Hoax 2024” is a testament to the creativity and determination of the disabled community.

Film Production

The film was written, shot, edited, and delivered in a remarkable timeframe of just 5 days, with no external funding. The team borrowed talent, resources, and locations, showcasing the incredible dedication and passion behind the project.

Cast & Crew

The cast and crew of the film include nine individuals with various disabilities, such as mobility disabilities, spinal cord injury, Deaf, Autism spectrum, and cancer survivors. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences bring a unique perspective to the project.

Call to Action

Support the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge by sharing the film “The Great Cosmic Hoax 2024” everywhere. Your help can make a significant impact and pave the way for more inclusive projects in the future. Let’s inspire change and celebrate the talents of the disabled community!

Learn and Do More

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers—with and without disabilities—the opportunity to collaborate to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms. The film challenge is a 5 day filmmaking competition in which filmmakers write, produce and complete an original three-to-five minute films. Filmmaking teams receive an assigned genre along with a list of required props and locations. Teams are strongly encouraged to integrate story elements that acknowledge disability and include at least one person with a physical or cognitive disability. Make sure to watch all of our films from the 2022 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge!

Please support our film for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. We need worldwide support so our industry will pay attention and realize the value and skills of people in the disabled community.
We wrote this film in about 8 hours, shot it in 2 days, edited, sound, music and delivered in 5 days total, from start to finish. WITH NO FUNDING!!!! We borrowed all of our talent, resources, locations, crew and only paid for some equipment rentals and food for our cast & crew. IMAGINE what we could do with time & money! We have NINE people with various disabilities on our cast & crew, including mobility disabilities, spinal cord injury, Deaf, Autism spectrum, cancer survivors, and more. PLEASE SHARE EVERYWHERE!!! You can help us get funding for the pilot! Now much fun would that be?!

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge participants must make a film over one weekend and help change the way the world defines and views …

Read the Rules To be eligible for an award, you must follow the official rules …

Challenge The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers …

Workshops The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge presents five awards …

EDFC … Now, it’s time to watch, like, share the films created for the …

FAQ No, you do not need to have a disability to enter the challenge …

Dig Deeper

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is an annual competition founded by Nic Novicki, an actor and comedian with a disability, to promote inclusion and diversity in the film industry. The challenge invites filmmakers of all experience levels to create short films that feature individuals with disabilities. Participants have 55 hours to write, shoot, and edit their films, showcasing their creativity and storytelling abilities within a limited time frame.

One of the primary goals of the Disability Film Challenge is to increase representation of people with disabilities in the media. Despite the fact that nearly one in five Americans has a disability, individuals with disabilities are vastly underrepresented in film and television. By providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their talent and highlight the experiences of individuals with disabilities, the challenge aims to change the narrative and expand opportunities for actors and filmmakers with disabilities.

Participating in the Disability Film Challenge can be a transformative experience for filmmakers and actors alike. Not only does it provide an opportunity to hone their craft and collaborate with a diverse group of individuals, but it also offers a chance to challenge stereotypes and break down barriers. The challenge encourages participants to think outside the box and create authentic, nuanced representations of disability, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

In addition to promoting inclusion and diversity, the Disability Film Challenge also serves as a platform for advocacy and education. Through their films, participants can raise awareness about issues affecting individuals with disabilities, spark important conversations, and inspire positive change. By sharing their stories and experiences, filmmakers can empower others to overcome obstacles, challenge societal norms, and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable world.

The Disability Film Challenge has received widespread support and recognition within the entertainment industry. Celebrities, filmmakers, and industry professionals have lent their expertise and resources to mentor participants, serve as judges, and promote the challenge’s mission. This level of support not only validates the importance of the work being done through the challenge but also helps to elevate the voices and stories of individuals with disabilities on a larger scale.

The impact of the Disability Film Challenge extends beyond the competition itself. Many participants go on to further their careers in the film industry, gaining valuable experience, exposure, and connections through their involvement in the challenge. Some films created for the challenge have gone on to be screened at prestigious film festivals, garnering critical acclaim and reaching audiences around the world. This demonstrates the power of storytelling to change hearts and minds and advocate for social change.

The Disability Film Challenge is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration in fostering inclusion and celebrating diversity. By providing a platform for filmmakers and actors with disabilities to showcase their talent and share their stories, the challenge is breaking down barriers and opening doors for individuals who have long been marginalized in the entertainment industry. Through their work, participants are not only challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about disability but also paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

As a graduate school student, I am particularly impressed by the impact and significance of the Disability Film Challenge. By leveraging the power of film and storytelling, the challenge is able to amplify the voices and experiences of individuals with disabilities, highlighting their strengths, resilience, and humanity. The challenge serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and diversity in media and the potential for storytelling to inspire empathy, understanding, and social change.

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is a groundbreaking initiative that is helping to shift the paradigm in the film industry and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for filmmakers and actors with disabilities. Through their creativity, passion, and dedication, participants in the challenge are not only challenging stereotypes and advocating for change but also inspiring others to see the beauty and value of diversity. The challenge serves as a beacon of hope and possibility, showing that through collaborative effort and a commitment to telling authentic stories, we can create a world where everyone’s voice is heard and celebrated.