Biography

Lauren Melinda is a filmmaker and artist, and founder of Simbelle Productions, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through film. Her work centers on the female experience and examines how culture and circumstance shape identity and community. Her short "Before You," made in solidarity with Planned Parenthood, continues her focus on intimate narratives designed to catalyze thoughtful conversation. Through Simbelle she has executive produced projects including "Familiar Touch," "Blue Heron," and "Satisfaction."
- IMDb mini biography by: Lauren Melinda

Lauren Melinda is a filmmaker, mixed-media artist, and founder of Simbelle Productions. Her work explores feminine identity and the cultural forces that shape the roles assigned to women.

She has written and directed three short films screening at 52 festivals across nearly every continent, earning top prizes at six. Her narrative short, Before You, starring Tala Ashe and Adam Rodriguez, became Oscar-qualified and launched a national campus screening tour in partnership with Planned Parenthood Gen Action.

As founder of the non-profit, Simbelle Productions, she has executive produced six feature films with premieres at SXSW, Venice, Locarno, and TIFF. Her debut feature Echoes, a psychological thriller, is currently in development.

She holds degrees from UCLA and UC Irvine and is based in Los Angeles.
- IMDb mini biography by: Alette Segerstrom