ABOUT

“When the audience feels the story you are telling, they become a part of it, vested in it, and even motivated to take action.”

- Melinda Raebyne

About Melinda

Melinda Raebyne is an award-winning Taiwanese-American filmmaker whose work spans documentary and narrative cinema, centering stories of resilience, displacement, and human connection. Her feature-length documentary Ellos Gritan Libertad (They Scream Freedom) (2023) won Best Documentary Director (International) at the Social World Film Festival in Italy. Her short film Asylum (2017) received Best Narrative Short at Cinema On the Bayou, and Stories of Us: Camp Second Chance (2019) earned the Audience Choice Award at the Tacoma Film Festival and the Meaningful Movies Project Turner Legacy Award.

Raebyne’s work often blends cinematic storytelling with community engagement. Her public art project For Sale (2020) was Tacoma’s first large-scale media installation addressing child sex trafficking. A recipient of support from organizations including Artist Trust and Firelight Media’s Spark Fund, she is committed to ethical, participatory storytelling practices that prioritize agency, care, and long-term impact. She is the director of Through My Eyes.

Work with Melinda

What people are saying…

  • “Melinda is an empathetic and collaborative leader and artist who strives to partner with those whose experiences have been marginalized or silenced, and helps to bring these stories into the light. She's a strong teacher, expressive and inventive, and is always seeking and learning.”

    — Katy Evans, Hilltop Artist Deputy Director

  • “Having seen Melinda Raebyne's work for some years now, I have been continually delighted and impressed with her ever-growing talent and ability to portray the human condition in a relatable way. She always digs deeply into the human psyche and finds that relatable gem in the human condition that strikes a note that is universally understood. Her talent continues to grow and I am always looking forward to seeing the next jewel she shares with us.”

    — Susan Harmon, The Susan Harmon Experience Radio Show

  • "Melinda's film work is simply inspiring. She tackles difficult subjects with grace and talent, as she exposes social injustice and supports underrepresented populations. She has an eye for film and a heart for humanity."

    — Erika Anderson

  • “I have had the pleasure/opportunity to work with Melinda on several projects over the years so I can say without question that her professionalism and attention to detail are unparalleled. She has been able to capture mood and feel in a way that has touched people in ways that have been a large part of the fundraising efforts for several nonprofit organizations I work with. The only thing that exceeds her talent and vision is her heart.”

    — Dr. Sean Adelman

  • “Melinda is unique in her ability to relate with all kinds of people - people often regarded as outcasts or perceived as “the other” - homeless people, disabled people, and child prostitutes, to name just a few. Even more remarkable is her ability, via her documentaries, to allow the audience to connect with these people and realize that they are really no different from themselves. Melinda is able to give voices to the voiceless and, through her films, allows her audience to hear those voices loud and clear.”

    — Director Jody Vernon

  • “She knows and understands the rudiments of film work and its impact in an intimate way. Much of her craft is self-informed making the “story” line real and rich in content. Melinda is fearless in her approach to tough topics. She is what the film industry needs to bring social justice issues from the dark into the light.”

    — Diane Tilstra, Meaningful Movies Project Board Co-Chair

  • "Melinda Raebyne is a passionate, dedicated, and talented filmmaker who always strives for emotional truth and finding the heart of a story. Her work in documentary, traditional narrative, and experimental media often focuses on stories of overcoming hardships and adversity while highlighting the strength of the human spirit. Through these stories, Melinda is able to illustrate our similarities and the need for empathy and compassion."

    — Levi Isaacs, Filmmaker

  • “The most memorable time was when I was raising money for micro houses for a homeless encampment. I invited folks out to help build 28 houses. Melinda was all in and took a leadership role in organizing a build of one Microhouse. Melinda is a great person to know, that is compassionate, passion-driven, and determined.”

    — Greg Marks, Founder Right Now Today

  • “Melinda Raebyne is not only a filmmaker who hits all the marks for cinematography, story, and stunning visual production, she takes risks and creates films that ignite the soul, make you think, and introduce something that adds to the landscape of film and even world consciousness.”

    — Alder Sherwood, Producer, Actor and Writer.

  • “From music videos to documentaries, Melinda puts her heart and soul into her projects, and you can sense it when you get to work with her, she welcomes you into her projects and makes them become yours as well. She treats everyone with respect and kindness. I have had the opportunity to work with her in the filmmaking Industry shoulder to shoulder in the past, and I was able to take a closer look at all of her infinite knowledge and skills.”

    — Giovanny Vazquez, Film Industry