Maria Shamkalian

Maria is a Vice Chair of Pennsylvania Film Industry Association, award-winning filmmaker, writer, SAG-AFTRA actress, and diversity and anti-bullying activist. She also hosts masterclasses with film industry professionals to help aspiring actors and filmmakers turn their dreams into full-time jobs, runs a network of educational centers, organizes annual charity events, and manages a food program that provides free healthy homemade-style meals to over 1200 children from struggling families.

Maria published a rhyming anti-bullying picture book that teaches kids to embrace the beauty of diversity, produced several commercials in support of early childhood education, and directed an award-winning musical short film "Fine Wine" that celebrates the youth of one's spirit at any age. She is always eager to meet and collaborate with the professionals in the fields of literature, filmmaking and education. She finds inspiration in the ambitions of others and their stories of achieving their dreams and goals.

We all are meant for something bigger.
Don't spend your life without an aim! 
Get up, create, achieve, be eager
To mark the future with your name!
We all are born for something greater, 
Than to just eat and procreate. 
Do something now! There is no "later"!
Follow your path, embrace your fate!
We all possess a certain power
To be the change we want to see!
So be that change and do not cower!
Become courageous and proceed!
Don't spend your life on just existing.
You will regret it at the end. 
Besides, why would you be resisting
What Heaven has already planned?
We all are born for something greater. 
Don't waste your life on sitting still.
Do not embarrass the Creator
And find your purpose to fulfill. 
And then your name will live forever,
And then your soul will feel content. 
I wish you luck in this endeavor.
Achieve and never say "I can't"!

© Маria Shamkalian, 2013