Mélissa Major

Biography

Mélissa Major is a filmmaker, producer, and founder of Major Productions, based in Rouyn-Noranda, in Quebec's Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. Working across documentary and fiction, she is drawn to distinctive human stories, cultural identities, and social issues. Her work explores narratives rooted in place that challenge how we see the world, relate to others, and understand ourselves. Her directing credits include *Le Défi*, winner of the Télébec Jury Prize at the Abitibi-Témiscamingue International Film Festival, and *Sweetgrass*, a feature documentary exploring cultural and intergenerational transmission between an Anishinaabe mother and her daughter, distributed by Maison 4:3. As a producer, she supports documentary and fiction projects with distinctive creative voices, including *Les Racines du hip-hop au Québec*, a documentary series broadcast on Télé-Québec, and the short film *Le Mystère de l’abbé Metz*, which continues to screen at festivals across Quebec and internationally. She has also worked as a delegate producer on *Frères* and *Au nord des hommes*. Her projects in development include *Corps en mouvement*, a documentary series developed with Natyf TV, the second season of *Les Racines du hip-hop au Québec*, *Punk Québec*, and the fiction short *Grand-maman tristesse*. Committed to supporting regional filmmaking and fostering connections within the film industry, she is also a co-founder of LA WATCH, the talent lab of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue International Film Festival, bringing together emerging and established filmmakers from Quebec and beyond.