Melissa Reynolds

Melissa is a writer-director based in South-West England. After studying at Met Film School and London Film School respectively, she went on to work in various roles for companies including the BBC, Aardman Animations, Number 9 Films, Films at 59 and Jeremy Zimmermann Casting, as well as spending 3 years as a production assistant at the Official Twin Peaks UK Festival. Introduced to film at a very young age, Melissa immediately fell in love with the medium. She recalls being absolutely devastated by THE ELEPHANT MAN at nine years old, which ultimately taught her the power of film and how it can have an intense, emotional impact. Her influences range from David Lynch and Alan Ball to Andrea Arnold and Mike Leigh, and in her recent work she’s concerned with exploring the interior lives of ordinary people and shining a light into the places we keep hidden, giving a voice to people – especially women – who’s stories are rarely told.

In 2013, she wrote and directed her first short film – IN ONE MOMENT – which she also produced, edited and composed the music for. Her second short film as writer-director – THE TRAVELLER – was made in 2014 and screened in Official Selection at the 2015 Golden Door Film Festival in the USA.

Melissa is currently working on various original feature projects, as well as co-writing a psychological thriller series with writer-director Niall Johnson (White Noise, Mums List). Her most recent feature screenplay, THE TOWER, is currently in development with Epik Pictures.