Opal awards

2014 Opal Awards

 

Honoring

Deb Acklin, CEO WQED

Catherine Hardwicke – Director of Twilight

Dawn Keezer, Director of the Pittsburgh Film Office

Eleanor Schano – Lifetime Achievement Award

 

 

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The Opal and Patti Burns Awards were first awarded in 2007 to recognize women in film and television for exemplary professional achievement as well as their contribution to the economic and cultural development of the region. The WIFM Scholarship to an outstanding film student was initiated in the same year. The Awardees were:

2012

Opal Awards:  Chelle Robinson, producer/director.  Also producer of WIFM PSA – “Down the Drain” for Hair Peace Charities; Kathryn Spitz Cohan, actress; Barbara Feldon, Agent 99 – Get Smart Television Series

Patti Burns Award:   Carol Lee Espy, television and radio personality, singer/songwriter

WIFM Scholarship:  Kimberly Truisi

Point Park Scholarship:   Alexandra Quinn

Amy Lamb Scholarship:    Cierra Jones

2011

Opal Awards: Adrienne Wehr, Actress, Producer, Art Director; Nancy Mosser, Casting Director;  & Kim Moses, Executive Producer

Patti Burns Award: Marilyn Brooks, TV host/reporter, WTAE-TV

WIFM Scholarship: Heidi Schlegel

Point Park Scholarship: Olivia Vaughn

 

2009

Opal Awards: Shirley Jones, Singer & Actress;  Liz RIchards, Filmmaker, Professor, Point Park University

Patti Burns Award: Tonia Caruso, TV anchor, Comcast & OnQ

WIFM Scholarship: Cait Murray

Point Park Scholarship: Shannon Hager

 

2008

Opal Awards: Margaret Loesch, Producer and CEO of Hub TV; Melissa Martin, Director; Donna Belajac, Casting Director

Patti Burns Award: Yvonne Zanos, TV anchor/reporter, KDKA-TV

WIFM Scholarship: Paige Berry & Maranda Wodzinski

 

 2007

Opal Awards: Suzanne DeLaurentiis, Producer; late Amy Lamb, Production Manager

Patti Burns Award: Late Patti Burns, TV ancor KDKA-TV.

WIFM Scholarship:  Heather Mallak