The Media Access Awards — an event that honors inclusive depictions of disability in film, TV and new media — have set Oscar winners Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur as hosts of the gala on Nov. 7.
The show, presented by nonprofit disability services provider Easterseals Southern California and founded by the legendary Norman Lear in 1979, will air Dec. 3 on KCET, and Dec. 15 on PBS SoCal, marking the first time an awards show focused on celebrating disability representation will air on broadcast TV. With CODA stars Matlin and Kotsur on board, it will also mark the first time two deaf performers have hosted an awards telecast together.
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“We can’t wait to celebrate these talented individuals once again for their strong efforts in furthering disability representation in film and television,” Media Access Awards co-CEOs Deborah Calla and Allen Rucker said in a joint statement.
Honorees are selected by diversity committees of professional guilds with awards from the Casting Society of America (CSA), Producers Guild of America (PGA) and Writers Guild of America (WGA).
Honorees include Simon Cowell with the Norman Lear-Geri Jewell Lifetime Achievement Award, Paris Barclay as best director, New Amsterdam’s Peter Horton and David Schulner with the Writers Guild of America West Evan Somers Memorial Award, The Sex Lives of College Girls star Lauren “Lolo” Spencer with the Easterseals Impact Award, The Healing Powers of Dude casting directors Danielle Aufiero and Amber Horn with the Casting Society of America Award, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie filmmaker Davis Guggenheim with the Producers Guild of America George Sunga Award, and Daruma star Tobias Forrest with the Christopher Reeve Acting Award.
The night’s program will also feature entertainment from stand-up comedians Ryan Niemiller and Nic Novicki and a musical performance by Amanda Mammana. Presenters and additional intel about the night are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. This year’s show is produced by Calla Prods., co-produced by PBS SoCal/KCET, executive produced by Deborah Calla with writing by Allen Rucker.
“This is a landmark and historic achievement for the Media Access Awards with Easterseals to be broadcast on television,” said Mark Whitley, CEO of Easterseals Southern California. “We are thrilled this amazing show celebrating disability in front of and behind the camera will be seen for the first time by a wider audience.”
