From Plot Twist to Premiere: My Journey with Easterseals and the Power of Inclusive Storytelling
Editor’s Note: We are excited to welcome a new voice to the Feeling Creative? community. Clinton R. Siegle is an award-winning independent filmmaker and archivist whose work explores the boundaries of perception.
Over the coming months, Clinton will be sharing his "Industry Lens", a series of interviews with working professionals in film and media. But before we dive into those conversations, we wanted to start with his story—a powerful look at how an unexpected life change led him to the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
Creative Resilience: A Filmmaker’s Journey by Clinton R. Siegle
Storytelling is filmmaking—and my life has always unfolded like a film.
I’ve lived an extraordinary one: growing up on two Indian reservations, then later working for NASA and other government contracts. But the path that led me to Easterseals was its own unexpected plot twist. A serious infection cost me part of my right ankle and landed me in hospice for months. When I finally made it out, I thought the worst was over—until I did not realize I also lost much of my hearing and part of my vision without fully understanding it at the time.
I returned to work at a new company due to being let go, only to discover how much had changed. Then the story took another turn. A second infection struck, and I lost my left foot and, for a while, vision in one of my eyes. When I awoke from that nightmare I found myself elsewhere. Meaning mentally I remember one thing and the next day it is not as I recall it. What followed wasn’t an ending, but a reset—one that reshaped how I see storytelling, disability, and resilience. That journey is why Easterseals matter to me.
I did not find film as a solution at that time. I found poetry and autographs. Unable to do much, I found myself writing to many people in the film industry who wrote back. Over time, these 'autographs' turned into interviews. A lot of those people were in films. And over the years I got to know them much better than autographs but via interviews. In one interview, the person expected a podcast, not a written interview, which forced me to learn a new skill.
Learning how to podcast is how I got involved with film. Being new to it I felt I had to do something prior to the interview. By asking for old photos from people that I had done interviews with, I created several 15 second films for a film festival which ended up getting canceled in 2021. However I found other film festivals to submit to and got a wonderful response which turned into several film festival selections and awards.
From there I got involved with the Easterseal film challenge. This is my fourth year for a 5 day film challenge that happens this year March 24, 2026. I’ve made wonderful friendships with my fellow cast members which include several actresses, and actors.
My experience is just one example of the power of storytelling. The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is the intersection of creativity, advocacy, and opportunity, quietly allowing those with disabilities a chance to dream. My first film, Dreamers, which won 4 awards, was a result of this challenge.
Join the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Where Filmmakers with Disabilities Shine
Are you a filmmaker ready to showcase your creativity and make an impact? The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2026 is your opportunity to tell authentic stories, embrace innovation, and celebrate the unique perspectives of filmmakers with disabilities. Open to all creatives—whether you have a disability or are working alongside someone who does—this online film competition is more than a contest; it’s a gateway to recognition, mentorship, and industry connections.
What Is the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge?
Now in its 13th year, the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is a premier online festival and awards event designed to highlight the talents of filmmakers in short film production. Teams create short films ranging from 1 to 5 minutes, producing them during the contest dates of March 24th - March 29th, 2026. This unique competition requires at least one team member to have a disability, ensuring representation both on-screen and behind the camera.
Founded by visionary filmmaker Nic Novicki, the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge offers an inclusive platform for creators. By participating, filmmakers not only showcase their storytelling abilities but gain access to mentorship meetings with entertainment executives, career-enhancing prizes, and unparalleled networking opportunities.
Why Participate?
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge isn’t just about winning awards—it’s about telling stories that matter. Participants are encouraged to include elements that raise awareness of disability, such as featuring disabled actors, directors, writers, editors, or composers. Every entry contributes to reshaping how disability is represented in media, promoting inclusion, and amplifying voices that are often overlooked.
Participants also enjoy high-value prizes that directly support filmmaking. Awards include cash production grants, Dell computers, industry memberships, and mentorship sessions with top professionals. Categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Writer, Best Editor, Best Actor, and Best Awareness Campaign recognize excellence at every level of production.
How to Enter
Entering is straightforward: register on DisabilityFilmChallenge.com and prepare to produce your film during the production period, March 24th–29th, 2026. Registration fees are reasonable: $30 for pre-registration, $45 for regular registration, and $60 for late submissions.
Entrants must designate a representative (ER) aged 18 or older to manage all communications with Easterseals. Creative work—including shooting, editing, sound design, and rendering—must be completed during the production period. Personal footage or still photos captured beforehand are allowed, giving teams some flexibility in preparation.
Rules and Guidelines
To ensure fairness, all entries must be original and cannot include copyrighted material without permission. Films should be suitable for general audiences, with content free from obscenity or defamatory statements. Volunteers, rather than paid talent (except SAG/AFTRA members), are encouraged to participate, creating an accessible and collaborative filmmaking environment.
Final films must be uploaded digitally to the FilmFreeway platform by the March 29th deadline. Winners are announced on May 7th, 2026, with finalists posted online earlier.
Recognition and Awards
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge celebrates creativity and impact. The Best Film Award goes to the entry that best incorporates the assignment, story, and production value. Best Director, Writer, Editor, and Actor awards highlight outstanding individual contributions. The Best Awareness Campaign recognizes teams that successfully amplify their film’s visibility on social media, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Every award is more than a trophy—it’s a chance to advance your career in filmmaking while raising awareness about disability and inclusion. Previous participants describe the challenge as life-changing, inspiring, and empowering, with many returning year after year to showcase their stories.
Why This Festival Matters
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge isn’t just another festival—it’s a movement toward equity in filmmaking. By providing mentorship, exposure, and opportunities to disabled filmmakers, it bridges the gap between talent and industry access. With over a decade of history, Easterseals has built a trusted platform where creativity meets advocacy, making it one of the most important film challenges for inclusive storytelling today.
Join the 2026 Challenge Today
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2026. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or trying your hand at your first short film, this competition is a launchpad for recognition, growth, and advocacy. Register your team, create your story, and make your mark in a festival that celebrates innovation, inclusivity, and creativity.
For registration, official rules, and updates, visit DisabilityFilmChallenge.com. Transform your ideas into short films that inspire, entertain, and change the conversation about disability in media.
Easterseals is a major non-profit organization providing comprehensive services, education, and advocacy for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, and seniors to promote independence and inclusion. Founded in 1919 and known for its, the organization supports over 1.3 million individuals annually through therapy, job training, and community programs.
Bio:
Clinton R. Siegle is an award-winning independent filmmaker, writer, and interviewer whose work has screened at 146 international film festivals and earned 14 awards. His films explore the boundary between the real and the surreal, often examining time, perception, and the human experience. Beyond filmmaking, Siegle is a cultural interviewer and archivist, documenting long-form conversations with artists, creators, and thinkers. As a writer and essayist, his work—spanning fiction, cultural commentary, and experimental storytelling—has reached over 8.49 million views worldwide. Through film, writing, and dialogue, he bridges history and myth, science and speculation, inviting audiences to question the world they inhabit.
