Director of Drunk On Too Much Life
Michelle Melles, she/her, is a Canadian-American filmmaker, director, producer, and story editor based in Toronto. A passionate advocate for exploring the intersection of personal stories and societal issues, Michelle harnesses the transformative power of documentary storytelling to challenge norms and inspire change. With over 20 years of experience creating TV documentaries, docu-series, and streaming content, her work delves into complex social themes and redefines conventional narratives.
Under her production banner, Parallel Vision Pictures, Michelle creates independent documentaries that push boundaries, provoke thought, and offer fresh perspectives on the human experience. Her debut independent feature documentary film, Drunk on Too Much Life, exemplifies her dedication to impactful, socially conscious storytelling by seeking to change the narrative surrounding the treatment and perception of “psychosis”. The film was sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and was completed for Michelle’s Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Drunk on Too Much Life is distributed across North America by the social justice filmmaker co-operative New Day Films, is broadcast across Canada on TVO and The Knowledge Network, and will be broadcast across the U.S.A. on PBS beginning in May 2025 for Mental Health Awareness month.