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Melissa Skirboll is an award-winning writer, director, producer, editor, and actor drawn to stories where humor, heartbreak, and human contradiction collide. A true multi-hyphenate, she has spent over two decades creating work across film and theater.
Over the past two decades, her films, many of which she has written, produced, and edited in addition to directing, have screened at festivals around the world. Her films and screenplays have earned over 60 awards across disciplines, a testament to her collaborative approach and ability to elevate both performance and craft.
Melissa’s storytelling lives in the grey areas - the space between love and resentment, comedy and pain, connection and independence. Her films, including Overdue, Blood is Thicker, and My Dinner With Schwartzey, are known for their strong performances, sharp dialogue, and emotionally grounded narratives. Whether working on screen or stage, she is particularly interested in complex relationships and the moments that reveal who we really are.
At the core of her work is an interest in the messy, complicated places where people don’t have easy answers - where contradiction, vulnerability, and truth tend to live.
As the founder of LifeDream Productions, Melissa develops and leads projects from initial spark through final delivery, often working across multiple creative and production roles. Her process is collaborative and actor-centric, shaped by her background in performance and her belief that the most compelling work comes from trust, clarity, and a willingness to explore uncomfortable truths.
In addition to her creative work, Melissa has taught directing, screenwriting, and acting, mentoring emerging artists and helping them find their own voice. She brings that same spirit of curiosity and collaboration to every project, whether she’s leading a set, developing new material, or partnering with other creatives.
Melissa is a member of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), SAG-AFTRA, and the Brazen Giant Ensemble. She has served as a jury member for the Beeston Film Festival since 2019 and is part of the selection committee for the Reel East Texas Film Festival.
