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