Beneath her softly spoken front lies a fierceness, combined with quirky sensuality. From grounded and tough, to kooky and bouncy, Melissa is a multifaceted actor based in South West Sydney, Australia.

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Her most notable work includes two smartphone films; MESHES OF AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON and IN MY MIND written, directed and starring herself, in collaboration with her partner and visual effects artist Michael Koorey.

 

Melissa's recent work includes appearing in Heath Davis' widely acclaimed AACTA nominated film CHRISTMESS, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2023. The award winning short TWO DOLLARS featured on SBS On Demand and a small supporting role as Fiona Simons in the indie horror feature THE HAUNTING AT SAINT JOSEPH'S. (THE HANGED GIRL in the US).

 

2023 saw Melissa take on a new role as Casting Director for Parish Malfitano's second feature, a supernatural Drama/Horror, SALT ALONG THE TONGUE, featuring an
all-female ensemble cast, it premiered to sold out screenings at the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival in 2024.

 

Her role in the short film THE INTRUDERS, had her nominated for Best Actress at the Made in the West Film Festival in 2020.

 

Additional credits include a lead role in crime re-enactment for the 60 MINUTES episode CAPTIVE, numerous short films including, UPSOLD, THE LIFE OF BALDRICK, SWIPE LEFT, HOLD THE PINEAPPLE and Skit Box video
THE UTI DANCE.

Her primary acting training was completed at The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA) and The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Open Program.

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In 2020, Melissa was a scholarship recipient for the Empowering the Artist Online Mentorship from the American Arts Film & Television Academy (AAFTA).

 

Melissa is an only child of Italian migrant parents. 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. 

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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.

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She has been described as a reliable, composed actor, with an attention to detail and a pleasure to work with.

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Melissa has also assisted the SmartFone Flick Fest and was a Social Media Intern with the inaugural Short+Sweet Film Festival and The HubStudio in Sydney.

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Melissa holds a degree in Media Communication from Charles Sturt University and completed Screenwriting for Film from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).