Accelerating Impact Through Storytelling

Melissa Kepen is a multi-hat wearing director and producer with a deep passion for crafting unique narratives that delve into our connection with the natural world. Born in San Diego, California, and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Melissa's journey into the visual arts was sparked when her mother first gave her a camera at age 15.

Driven by her enthusiasm for capturing images and storytelling, Melissa pursued a degree in Film and Media at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her career has since taken her across the globe, collaborating with top athletes, innovative climate leaders, environmental advocates, non-profit organizations and renown lifestyle brands to create captivating content set against diverse cultural and natural landscapes.

While immersing herself in the great outdoors, Melissa's love for nature has transformed into a powerful commitment to its preservation. In 2020, she completed her graduate studies in Sustainability at UCLA, and since then has made a pivotal shift in her work towards creative initiatives that champion environmental conservation, sustainable climate solutions, and meaningful social change. In 2021, she produced and edited the short film ‘Na Kama Kai- Children of the Ocean’, which won Best Documentary Short at the New York Independent Cinema Awards, Toronto Indie Shorts and LA Independent Film Awards. At the core of Melissa's work lies a profound desire to harness the power of storytelling to rekindle our relationships with the planet and foster a sense of wonder, respect, and duty towards the natural environment.

When she is not juggling multiple creative projects, Melissa can be found sailing and diving off the California coast, hiking remote backcountry trails, or traveling to foreign lands to explore and learn from the rich cultural landscapes of our planet.

Clients Include: Billabong, Red Bull, WSL, Brain Farm, Garden of Life, Fair Harbor, Zee.Dog, GloboSat, Canal Off, Walking Softer, Pique Action, Canal Brasil, Warner Music, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Surfrider Foundation, Fenz Brasil, and Amigos Marinos.

Some of the Organizations I have Volunteered and Collaborated With

In 2018, Melissa’s set off on a 7-month sailing journey down the Pacific Coast. With multiple cameras in hand, she documented her entire voyage and is currently putting a short film together about her profound experience. In the meantime, here are some scraps from the editing floor!

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