AWARDS AND HONORS
2009 “YES I CAN AWARD”
The Council for Exceptional Children, which honors students who have excelled despite their disabilities, will present this award to Darius Weems April 3, 2009.
2009 TED CONFERENCE FELLOWSHIP
Darius Weems and Logan Smalley were selected as fellows and spoke at the 2009 conference.
YALE SCHOLARSHIP
A supporter of “Darius Goes West” established The Darius Weems Scholarship in December 2008, to support an incoming freshman at Yale University.
VOLVO FOR LIFE AWARD
2008 FINALIST, QUALITY OF LIFE CATEGORY
Darius Weems donated the $25,000 prize to Charley’s Fund, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for DMD.
WORLD OF CHILDREN
2008 FOUNDER’S YOUTH AWARD
Darius Weems donated the $15,000 prize to Charley’s Fund, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for DMD.
GLORIA BARRON PRIZE FOR YOUNG HEROES
Darius Weems donated the $2,000 prize to Charley’s Fund, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for DMD.
11 ALIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
WXIA-TV (Atlanta) presented this award to Logan Smalley. WXIA-TV’s coverage of “Darius Goes West” was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award.
SPIRIT OF ATHENS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The Athens, Ga., Junior League presented this award to Logan Smalley.
FILM-RELATED AWARDS AND HONORS
YELLOW FOX FOUNDATION
Film Grant
THE CHRISTOPHERS
2008 Grand Prize, Student Film Competition
AFI/DALLAS
Audience Choice Award, Best Documentary
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection
(Only film selected by Robert DeNiro to screen at his children’s school during the festival)
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice for Best Feature
OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL
Best Documentary (Juried) and
Audience Favorite Award
PITCTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
Honourable Mention, Best Documentary (Juried)
OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award and
Best Documentary (Juried)
CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Plain Dealer Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award and
The Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition
LONGBAUGH FILM FESTIVAL
Best Documentary (Juried)
SUNSCREEN FILM FESTIVAL
Best Feature (juried) and Audience Choice, Best Feature
SUPERFEST INTERNAIONAL DISABILITY FESTIVAL
Merit Award (Juried)
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award
PALM BEACH INTERNAIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award
INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL OF BOSTON
Audience Choice Award
BINATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Best Documentary (Runner up)
BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award
JACKSON HOLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award and
Best Documentary (Juried)
SOLSTICE FILM FESTIVAL
Best Documentary (Juried)
SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL
Best Documentary (Juried) and
Audience Choice Award
REEL TO REEL FILM FESTIVAL
Best Documentary (Juried)
OJAI FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award
EAST LANSING FILM FESTIVAL
Audience Choice Award
VIEWFINDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR YOUTH
Best Documentary (Youth Jury Award)
"A Classic"--The Los Angeles Times
"Certain to stir hearts."-- Variety
The Movie
Accompanied by his eleven best friends, Darius Weems, a fifteen-year-old living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), leaves home for the first time in his life. The rowdy crew sets a course for California where they hope to convince MTV to customize Darius's wheelchair on the hit show, Pimp My Ride. Darius Goes West been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people of all ages all around the world.
The Movement
Darius Goes West is more than a film. The continuing story of Darius, his crew, and the tens of thousands of supporters they have met in their travels can be experienced on this website. This site is continually updated with short videos, blog posts, and innovative initiatives that aim to affect a cure for DMD.
If you're new to DGW, check out the Blog, or join the Facebook group to see what you've missed. If you're a teacher or a student, be sure to check out the educational program. And If you are interested in having Darius or one of the crew members "Skype in" for a Q&A at your screening, please contact us.
DGW is a registered 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. All proceeds benefit Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.
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