SAG-AFTRA Member Troy Kotsur, Zeno Mountain Farm Among Media Access Awards Honorees

The 42nd Media Access Awards took place virtually Nov. 17. The awards, presented by nonprofit disability services organization Easterseals, has become well-known in the industry for its celebration of individuals, series and films that redefine the on-screen representation of people with disabilities and advance employment opportunities for the community within the industry at large. SAG-AFTRA, alongside the Producers Guild of America, Casting Society of America, the Writers Guild of America West, and the Internet Movie Database, bestowed two awards at the event. The SAG-AFTRA National Performers With Disabilities Committee was instrumental in nominating and choosing winners. Hosting the awards was SAG-AFTRA member and honoree Millicent Simmonds (A Quiet Place II). 

SAG-AFTRA member and actor-director Troy Kotsur was the 2021 recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Harold Russell Award, which recognizes an individual who has substantially contributed to the overall awareness of the disability experience through media. Kotsur, who was born deaf, has appeared in numerous stage and screen roles, including the 2021 feature film Coda. The award was presented by the 2020 award recipient, Lauren Ridloff (Eternals). In his acceptance speech, Kotsur reflected on the significance of the honor. 

“[I believe this honor] will help people understand that [disabled] people are just people, and they all bring diversity and the beauty of their talent. This is a great example of this recognition and I want to thank the committee and the board for recognizing my work in this manner. Thank you so much,” said Kotsur. 

The union’s second honor, the SAG-AFTRA Disability Awareness Award, was presented to Vermont-based disability organization Zeno Mountain Farm. ZMF has been a longtime champion for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities. Although better known within the disability community for its short film productions, its first feature-length film, Best Summer Ever (2020), has been lauded by critics and viewers for its inclusive casting. 

Zeno Mountain Farm founder and Best Summer Ever Executive Producer Peter Halby and cast member Hannah Gallivan accepted the award on the organization’s behalf. 

“The disabled community is full of creativity, innovation and kindred spirits, and joy, and we think our movie shows that. We’re so glad to be recognized,” said Halby. 

“I have grown up with cerebral palsy, and as a person with a disability, you have to overcome a lot of prejudices or assumptions about what you can and can’t do,” said Gallivan. “One of my dreams is to help more disabled people get on Broadway … and this role has definitely played a part in helping it come true. I hope to do so much more in the future. Thank you so much.”

Other honorees of the evening included SAG-AFTRA members Marlee Martin (Coda), recipient of the Life Achievement Award; Visionary Award recipient Selma Blair (Introducing Selma Blair);  Writers Guild of America West Evan Somers Memorial Award Ryan O’Connell (Special) and John Krasinski, who received the inaugural IMDbPro/Media Access Award for Excellence in Directing in recognition of his commitment to inclusivity in filming A Quiet Place II. The A Quiet Place franchise, which stars Krasinski and Simmonds, has become a highly recognized blockbuster and lauded for its casting of deaf and hard-of-hearing performers. 

Said Easterseals Southern California Chief Executive Officer Mark Whitley of the ceremony, “The presenters and honorees at this year’s Media Access Awards are examples of how the industry is continuing to move forward to increase disability representation and inclusion. Easterseals is proud to partner in saluting authentic storytelling and inclusion, both in front of and behind the camera.” 

All photos by Getty Images/Jamie McCarthy.