Melissa is a multifaceted actor based in Sydney, Australia, who beneath her softly spoken front lies a fierceness, combined with quirky sensuality. Her personality is a unique blend of grounded and tough, to kooky and bouncy.
Melissa's recent work includes appearing in Heath Davis' widely acclaimed festive film Christmess (2023),which premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2023. She also starred in the fantasy short Victors (2024) selected for the Fantastic Film Festival Australia 2025, the award-winning short Two Dollars (2023) featured on SBS, and a small supporting role as Fiona Simons in the indie horror feature The Hanged Girl (2023).
In 2023, Melissa took on a new role as Casting Director for Parish Malfitano's second feature, a supernatural Drama/Horror, Salt Along the Tongue (2024),featuring an all-female ensemble cast. The film premiered to sold-out screenings at the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival in 2024 and its Victorian premiere at the Fantastic Film Festival Australia 2025.
Melissa's role in the short film The Intruders (2020) earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Made in the West Film Festival in 2020. Her additional credits include a lead role in crime re-enactment for the 60 Minutes episode 'Captive', numerous short films including, Upsold (2019),The Life of Baldrick (2017),Swipe Left (2017),Hold the Pineapple (2017),and Skit Box video 'The UTI Dance'.
Melissa's primary acting training was completed at The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA) and The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Open Program. She was a scholarship recipient for the Empowering the Artist Online Mentorship from the American Arts Film & Television Academy (AAFTA) in 2020.
Born to Italian migrant parents, Melissa is an only child. Her passion for cinema began at a young age, watching countless films from her father's collection and inheriting his affinity for Westerns and War films. She later developed a particular interest in the Horror genre, and her most recent passion is supporting films directed by women.
Melissa strives to portray characters with warmth and vulnerability in a dark and struggling socio-economic environment - bringing the plight of women to the fore - championing bold storytelling with a focus on dark genre and indie dramas.
