360 Magazine, Meredith Grace Dabney, Here Today

MEREDITH GRACE DABNEY

16-Year-Old Filmmaker & Actress Meredith Grace Dabney Releases Award-Winning Short HERE TODAY

Out now via Astrabeta Creations

Click [HERE] to watch

Filmmaker and actress Meredith Grace Dabney release her award-winning short film HERE TODAY which chronicles the life of a high school girl struggling to find her identity with a new group of friends. The film comes directly from the filmmaker’s production company Astrabeta Creations in association with Arvold Productions and Point Nine Films.

This universally autobiographical tale, written by the young filmmaker is a reminder of vulnerability, life’s connections, and most importantly that words and actions, however small, affect everyone and everything.

Meredith shares: “It is my hope that HERE TODAY will speak as a voice of encouragement and love to others as it does to me, and will educate on the topics of suicide, anxiety, depression, mental health, and self-worth. My creative mission in bringing this film to life has been to reinforce the crucial thought that “Your PRESENCE matters.” The process of making this film has served as both a personal growth journey and a reminder that every single action, word, and encounter has an everlasting impact and truly does matter. My hope is that this film will be a stepping stone to increased conversations about sensitive topics as well as a vehicle for bringing to light universal internal struggles.”

HERE TODAY, directed by Erica Arvold and written by Meredith, serves as a reminder that wherever you may be on your journey in life, YOU are valid and important.

Meredith uses her voice as a platform for herself and others who may be in a dark place. In conjunction with the film, Meredith has initiated a social media campaign “You Okay? Ask Someone Today!” The campaign is a way to challenge others to reach out to 3 individuals every day via text, mail, email, phone, or other forms of communication to simply ask, “You Okay?” (one person may be ourselves!). The campaign, which was initiated as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, will be going on through Summer and is also reflected in some very cool merchandise with the same “You Okay” message. Dabney says, “I want to change the world through kindness, compassion, and connectedness, and this way people can have a reminder to reach out to others by wearing it for all to see!”

National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1-800-273-8255

Cast: Meredith Grace Dabney, CeCe Kelly, Isaiah Asher Hanley, Kjay Saifullah

Prod Co: Astrabeta Creations, Arvold Productions, Point Nine

Films Producers: Erica Arvold, Isaac Dietz, Erik Lingvall, Taylor Fedele, Viviana Chavez

More About Meredith Grace Dabney

Meredith Grace Dabney is a 16-year-old actor, writer, and filmmaker on a mission to “tell stories that need to be told.” An actor equally in love with stage and screen, she is best known for energetic performances and depth of character portrayals. A young actor with a large body of work, Meredith has participated in an array of theatre productions, films, pilots, and new media projects. Committed to always exploring ways to make her acting more truthful, she trains regularly at Catapult Acting Studios (GA), Young Actors Workshop (CA), and Anthony Meindl’s Actor Workshop (AMAW). Meredith originally wrote the film HERE TODAY when she was 14. When seasoned industry professional Erica Arvold expressed interest in a collaboration to showcase her own directing debut, Meredith began the film adaptation at age 15.

Inspired by events in her own life, the film has particular personal meaning. Meredith hopes to use her filmmaking to continue to address topics that need to be brought to light and discussed openly, and in the case of HERE TODAY her goal is to make a difference by reminding us all that our words and actions do indeed matter. Meredith is committed to making a difference in the lives of others and she has taken part in advocacy campaigns including Teens For Jeans, New State of Mind, and Tie A Ribbon as well as initiating a social media campaign focused on mental health, the “You Okay? Ask Someone Today!” Challenge. For the future, Meredith is working to start her own non-profit to support both her creative and societal missions. She also has a number of original projects currently in development including a few shorts, a feature, an anthology, and a series. In addition to acting and creating content, Meredith has her own production company, Astrabeta Creations, which made its debut with HERE TODAY.

360 Magazine, Meredith Grace Dabney, Headshot

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