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Missing While Black – The desperate mother of a missing Black girl is questioned in her home by a white detective when it soon becomes clear that finding her daughter may not be his highest priority.

Post film discussion with director Chris Anthony Hamilton and actor Maria Howell.

Chris Anthony Hamilton is an award-winning director and cinematographer who divides his time between Atlanta, GA, and Verona, Italy.

He earned his film degree from Hofstra University and refined his craft in New York City, where he worked with industry leaders including Spike Lee, Sesame Street, and Ralph Lauren. Throughout his career, he has also had the opportunity to photograph notable figures such as Barack and Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

His award-winning short films have screened at festivals internationally, and his content has amassed more than 20 million views online. Most recently, his short film Missing While Black screened at the 2026 Atlanta Film Festival.

He may be most proud, however, of his eclectic karaoke repertoire, which he is always happy to showcase at the wrap party.

Maria Howell has appeared in hit TV shows such as (Lifetime’s), “Army Wives”, and Marc Cherry’s, “Devious Maids”. Eric Kripke and J.J. Abrams’ apocalyptic, “Revolution”, and “Aquarius”, starring X-Files’ David Duchuvny, both on (NBC), and “Criminal Minds”, on (CBS), alongside Joe Mantegna. She has also guest starred on “The Resident” (FOX), and “Delilah” (OWN). Theatrical credits include, “The Blind Side”, “Addicted”, starring Sharon Leal and Boris Kodjoe, “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, as Seeder, and “Christmas Wedding Baby”, by Award-Winning Writer/Director Kiara C. Jones. She also stars in Writer/Director, Shea Sizemore’s “The Next Day.” In addition, she recurred in Bounce TV’s, “Saints & Sinners” as Lt. Hawkins, and as Ms. Sumner is the Oscar nominated film, “Hidden Figures”. She also worked with Eric Close and Kristin Chenoweth in the Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie, “A Christmas Love Story”. Maria also utilizes her vocals as a voiceover artist, on numerous radio and TV commercials, video games, narrations, not to mention her all-time favorite thing…animation.

Currently, Maria appears in a recurring role on the hit daytime soap, “Beyond the Gates”. She plays Tracy Tyler, a member of singing group, The Articulettes, alongside Tamara Tunie and Bonita Brisker, rounding out the singing trio.