I write, I act, I sing...
Therefore I am.
Melissa Mars
SCREENWRITER
& FILMMAKER
Select.
Last update: February 6 2025
My Ancestors' Song
(writer)
Screenplay, Feature, Drama, 2025
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An Algerian-French actress tries to break into Hollywood as she struggles to embrace her Arab heritage in the face of American standards and diverse stereotypes.
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Status: Development into a feature screenplay
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*Awards & Accolades*
Best Screenplay at Bridgeport Film Festival 2022
Second Round at Screencraft Film Fund 2022
Semifinalist at Hollyshorts 2022
Semifinalist at Outstanding Screenplays 2023
EXIT ZERO
(co-writer)
Screenplay, Feature, Horror Anthology, 2025
Story by D. Barlaam, R. Bell, K. Fried, M. Mars, S. Meehan, M. Mitchell. W. D. Prystauk, N. Rosen, V. Speegle, M. Ward​
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A grandfather weaves together eerie tales of New Jersey for his young granddaughter as they drive down the Garden State Parkway towards what waits for them at Exit Zero.​​
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Status: Fundraising
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*Awards & Accolades*
Semifinalist at Screencraft Horror Screenplay 2023
Stowe Story Labs - Sponsored Project 2024
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Better Late Then Never
(writer)
Short Movie, Drama, 2019
Directed by Marco Bottiglieri
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Wisdom Tree, L.A, California.
A young woman, after receiving a mysterious invitation to peace from her estranged father, hopes to reconnect.
A young man celebrates a birthday, alone.
The two strangers meet…
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Status: In post-production
The Last Touch
(writer, director)
Short Movie, Dystopian, 2020
Directed by Melissa Mars
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A young couple struggles to keep their love alive in a world where technology has replaced intimacy, and human touch is deadly.
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*Awards, Nominations & Selections*
WINNER BEST SCI FI SHORT
Hollywood Boulevard Film Festival 2021, Crypticon Minneapolis 2021, Crypticon Kansas City's 10th annual Shockfest & Cryptic Awards
BEST SOCIAL DISTANCED PRODUCTION RUNNER UP
Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival 2021
HONORABLE MENTION at Atlanta Scifi Film Festival 2021
NOMINATIONS
UK's Unrestricted View Film Festival 202, Paris Art & Movie Awards 2021, Stranger Days Independent Film Festival + 18 official selections
Perfect Chaos - Ep. 10
(writer, director)
Short Movie, Dystopian, 2020
Directed by Melissa Mars
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In a global panic, the artificial intelligence turns our devices into antagonists manipulating us toward our own destruction...
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Totally #stayathome approved. Perfect Chaos episode 10 is part of a Set Apart Pictures chain movie, a concept where every filmmaker takes the story over from where it was left off and takes it further in 48hours.
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Fun Fact: Made during the worldwide lockdown, the distance between the 2 actors was kept way beyond the 6 feet requirement: 10,353 miles apart! From NY to Melbourne… Filmmaking post-covid by Mars… :)
Army of Love
(writer, co-director)
Musical Short Movie, Animation
Directed by Melissa Mars & Thomas Gueriguen
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Once upon a time… a long time ago, in the white silence... The Army of Love, an army of mini-cloned fairies, finds Ox & Xo, two lovers, frozen in their love story…
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*Official Selection*
French Festival 'Courts Devant' 2008 - Musical Section
Chaperon Noir
(co-writer, co-director)
Short Movie, Drama, Fantasy
Directed by Melissa Mars & Mick Bulle
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In a strange forest populated by fantasy beings, a mysterious woman dressed like a black riding hood, followed by two guards with pink deer heads, creates a game of treasure hunt with apples… Does she eat the apples or the men…?
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*Official Selection*
French Festival du Film Merveilleux 2008
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Love Machine
(writer, director)
Music Video
Directed by Melissa Mars
Produced by Polydor - Universal Music
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In the middle of nowhere, a young woman is on a quest to find her lost love...
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Love Machine marks Melissa Mars' debut as a director. The song is part of her third studio album A la Recherche de l'Amour Perdu
SONGWRITER
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I started to write when I was a teenager. Stories first. Then one day three words knocked in my head that sounded like a song: Papa M'Aime Pas. They inspired my first single signed by my mom and lyricist, Lilas Klif. When we started working on my second album, she encouraged me and gave me the confidence to write my own songs. Then I have been blessed to have the trust of record labels such as Polydor-Universal, Wagram, Coca-Cola Music... to support my journey as a songwriter.
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SONGS DISTRIBUTED BY
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CLICK on the cover to PLAY the song sample if available.
Slightly twisted, rather well written nursery rhymes that her pop-rock melodies carry effectively.
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French Newspaper
Co-Lyricist, Co-Composer © Made in Mars *Included in PUZZLED & SORROW Soundtracks
Co-Lyricist French Adaptation © Wagram Music
