Melissa is an emerging filmmaker based in Seattle, WA. Making her debut on the horror film scene in October 2025 where her directorial short “The Critic” won Best in Seattle at 48 Hour Film Project. After the local win, the film traveled to Lisbon, Portugal in competition at Filmapalooza and won Best Effects (Special Genre). Most recently screened in May 2026 at Crypticon Seattle (Seattle's Longest Running Horror Film Festival).
Her previous works have screened in Nantes, France at Festival Ciné Alter'Natif and in San Franciso, California at the American Indian Film Festival. She continues to produce short films with her creative collaborators and works as a Producer and the University of Washington.
Born and raised in Salinas, California where she trained as a stage manager with The Western Stage and fell in love with the art of storytelling. While attending California State University, Monterey Bay she worked behind the curtain at The Western Stage and merged her passions of live theater and filmmaking. Her earlier work focused on the production of film and theatre pieces that aim to preserve traditional knowledge, record and acknowledge family history, and to influence and encourage intergenerational media making.
Her commitments continue to include producing art that combats forms of white supremacy and oppression.
She has been honored to live within the Seattle community and work with such organizations as Seattle Indian Health Board, Red Eagle Soaring, Annex Theatre, Theatre off Jackson, Longhouse Media, University of Washington and Na’ah Illahee Fund.
Melissa holds a Master in Communication from University of Washington, Seattle in Native Voices Indigenous Documentary Program and a BA from California State University, Monterey Bay in Cinematic Arts and Technology.
She is a member of the Wuksachi Indian Tribe and proud Chicana, Queer WOC, based in Unceded Coast Salish Territory (Seattle).
Owner/Artisan to CORAZÓN CANDLES
Manager of Media Production at Cultivate Learning, College of Education University of Washington
Editor / Field Producer / Director for Circle Time Magazine, a professional development web series for early childhood educators
2016 - 2017 inaugural Committee Chair for Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Cultivate Learning
2019 - 2020 Committee Chair for Community Building Committee at Cultivate Learning
