ATLANTA -- Women In Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA), Georgia’s premiere organization dedicated to improving the status and portrayal of women in film, video, and other screen-media, announced today that stars of NBC’s "Revolution" and AMC’s "The Walking Dead"--Maria Howell and Melissa McBride respectively--will be honored with the Georgian Award on October 20, 2013.
The award will be presented during the WIFTA Anniversary Gala & Awards Ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center’s, Thomas Murphy Ballroom in Atlanta. The ceremony is set to be an unforgettable event.
“WIFTA is extremely proud to honor Maria Howell and Melissa McBride with the 2013 Georgian Award in recognition of both women's stellar accomplishments as seasoned professionals in our industry,” says Cheryl Jenkins, WIFTA President.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the fundraising event will also include a VIP reception, rising star entertainment, dinner and a silent auction. The proceeds of the event will enable WIFTA to continue to provide exceptional educational programming, networking opportunities and professional resources in support of women in film and television throughout the year. The WIFTA 39th Annual Gala Awards Ceremony & Dinner, which is open to the public, will be held on October 20, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in the Thomas Murphy Ballroom (bldg B) starting at 7:30pm. GWCC is located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW Atlanta, GA. Those interested in participating in the event--as a sponsor, silent auction donor or attendee--should visit http://www.WIFTA.org/Gala for the most up to date information on related to the event. Early bird tickets are currently on sale: $100 for WIFTA members and $125 for non-members.
About Maria Howell
Maria Howell stars as Grace in NBC's "Revolution." Howell is an actor, singer and voiceover artist. She is often remembered as the choir soloist from the movie "The Color Purple" but has certainly gone on to make her mark as an accomplished performer since then. As an actress, Howell has appeared in Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls", Meet The Browns and "House of Payne." Her other television credits include "Army Wives," "Drop Dead Diva," "Vampire Diaries," "Past Life," "Detroit 1-8-7," as well as the acclaimed theatrical release "The Blind Side," starring Sandra Bullock. She worked alongside Mario Van Peebles and Wendy Raquel Robinson in the series "The Game," on Queen Latifah's "Single Ladies," and on USA's hit show "Necessary Roughness." Most recently, she played Cameron Diaz's doctor in "What to Expect When You're Expecting," and the role of Mrs. Easle in the movie "Firelight," starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. Throughout her career, she has shared the musical stage with legendary artists like Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles and Earl Klugh. After a very successful stint in Asia, Howell relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and performed weekly at Sambuca Jazz Cafe for nine consecutive years - from 2002 to its closing in December 2010. She and pianist Bill Wilson held the distinction of being the longest-running act at the Atlanta location. Howell has released several CD recordings, with the most recent release titled "Reflections," a retrospective collection.
About Melissa McBride
Melissa McBride is an actress and former casting director best known for her role as "Carol Peletier" in the AMC series The Walking Dead. She was born in Lexington, KY and began acting in film and on television in the early 1990s. Melissa made her debut on television in 1993 on an episode of the ABC legal drama Matlock and in later years appeared in TV movies, such as In the Heat of the Night: Give Me Your Life, Her Deadly Rival, Close to Danger, Any Place But Home, Nathan Dixon and Pirates of Silicon Valley. In 1996 she appeared on the CBS miniseries A Season in Purgatory, based on the 1993 novel with the same name by Dominick Dunne. Melissa has guest starred in several television series, including "American Gothic," "Profiler," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Dawson's Creek. In 2007, director Frank Darabont cast Melissa as the "Woman With Kids at Home" in the ensemble cast science-fiction horror film "The Mist" based on the 1980 novella of the same name by Stephen King. Melissa worked as a film and commercial casting director in Atlanta, Georgia from 2000 until 2010.
About WIFTA
Women In Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA), a 501c-3 Georgia non-profit, is a member-based professional organization affiliated with other Women In Film chapters around the world. Since our inception in 1974, the Atlanta chapter has proudly had a membership community of multi-generational and culturally diverse professionals, which include producers, directors, actors, entertainment attorneys, camera and sound technicians, film editors, graphic design artists, make-up artists, wardrobe specialists, screenwriters, talent agents and casting directors. WIFTA is dedicated to improving the status and portrayal of women in film, television, video, and other screen based media by offering opportunities for media makers to connect, create, champion and inspire. Women In Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA), a 501c-3 Georgia non-profit, is a member-based organization for creative media professionals.
