Melissa Hibbard is a dynamic and multifaceted creative professional, distinguished by her impressive expertise in both the realms of photography and filmmaking. Her academic pursuits in the field of Moving Image Arts, undertaken at the esteemed College of Santa Fe, culminated in the attainment of a degree in 1996. This rigorous academic background has afforded her a profound understanding of the intricacies of documentary filmmaking, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling career in the creative industries.
After completing her academic pursuits, Hibbard made the significant decision to relocate to the vibrant city of Los Angeles, where she embarked on a remarkable five-year journey within the film industry, serving as an art director on a variety of feature films. Throughout this tenure, she had the opportunity to refine her skills, cultivate her artistic vision, and develop a discerning eye for visual storytelling, ultimately emerging as a highly skilled and sophisticated artist.
Throughout the span of six years, the photographic endeavors of Hibbard have been showcased in the United States and internationally, effectively demonstrating her remarkable adaptability and artistic breadth. Furthermore, she has successfully produced three documentaries, each of which has garnered substantial attention and widespread acclaim.
The documentary "Breaking Bread" made its debut on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the year 2000, marking a significant milestone in the world of television. This milestone was soon followed by the release of "Sir Alfred of Charles de Gaulle Airport" in 2001, which garnered widespread recognition from both the media and international audiences alike.
The documentary "Shahrbanoo" premiered on PBS in 2002, boasting impressive ratings for an independently produced documentary. This remarkable achievement was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the production team, who had poured their hearts and souls into bringing this project to life.
Notable among Hibbard's extensive body of work is the feature film "Day Break", a cinematic masterpiece that debuted at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, garnering widespread critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards from around the globe.
In the year 2003, Hibbard played a pivotal role in the establishment of a non-profit organization, specifically ArteEast, which is dedicated to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the arts and cultures of the Middle East and its global diaspora within the United States.
As a key member of the organization, Hibbard took on the responsibilities of a board member and online director, utilizing her skills and expertise to contribute to the organization's growth and success until the year 2007.
Notably, Hibbard is actively engaged in the creation of a novel documentary endeavor, namely "Finding Home", which is being produced in the culturally rich and historically significant country of Iran.
