Melissa, a renowned British screenwriter, has had a remarkable career spanning multiple continents. After residing in the United States for several years, she has recently returned to her native UK. Her impressive writing skills have earned her numerous accolades, including being listed among the Tracking Board's Top 100 Young & Hungry writers for her feature script, Losing It.
Melissa's latest feature script, Easy Out, is a YA comedy-drama that tackles the sensitive topic of assisted dying. With its warm, charming, and quirky tone, the script masterfully balances heavy themes with relatable human emotions. Easy Out has received widespread recognition, ranking among the top 10 female-penned scripts in the Nicholl Fellowship in 2019, and being a Top 5 finalist for the Final Draft Big Break contest in 2020. Additionally, it was featured on the prestigious Brit List in 2021.
Beyond her feature work, Melissa has also ventured into short filmmaking, producing two notable projects: Nothing and Change. The latter, which she wrote, produced, and directed, garnered numerous awards, including the Frameline Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Best Drama Award at the Minghella Festival. Change explores the poignant irony of a law prohibiting same-sex marriage on the same day the United States elected its first black President. The film was acquired by Frameline's 'Youth in Motion' program, making it available to schools across California, and is currently streaming on iTunes and Shorts TV.
Melissa's achievements have not gone unnoticed, as she was selected for the BBC Drama Writers room Programme in 2020. Her most recent projects include developing an original TV series with Firebird Pictures, adapting a book for screen with Romulus Films, and completing a feature film with Temple Hill and Netflix. She is currently working on a TV show with Playground Pictures and adapting a successful book for a British streamer.
