Jay Ruderman: Last News

Emiliana Betancourt The coming-of-age drama “Out of My Mind” from Disney+ and Bleecker Street’s dramedy “Ezra” are among the films recognized by the Ruderman Family Foundation for their “groundbreaking commitment to disability inclusion in Hollywood.” The films have received Rudderman’s Seal of Authentic Representation. Both projects were cast by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee.

Diego Ramos Bechara editor Bobby Farrelly‘s sports comedy film “Champions” is among the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Seal of Authentic Representation awardees — an award that recognizes productions that practice inclusion and portray authentic representations of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry. Applauded for its decision to open auditions to actors with disabilities, “Champions” is among five productions receiving the award in a list of honorees that includes ABC drama series “The Company You Keep,” Momentum Pictures’ comedy-drama film “Wildflower,” Netflix drama miniseries “All the Light We Cannot See” and Netflix fantasy miniseries “The Witcher: Blood Origin.” For a production to be awarded the seal, it must meet two criteria: feature actors with disabilities with at least five lines of dialogue in a speaking role and be in or on the verge of general release.

William Earl Eva Longoria has been selected to receive the Ruderman Family Foundation‘s annual honor recognizing prominent cultural figures who do advocacy work on behalf of the disabled. Longoria founded the organization Eva’s Heroes in 2006 to help those with intellectual disabilities. The cause is personal to Longoria, whose older sister Liza was born with an intellectual disability.