Mel McCarthy

2023 Winner

For a woman or gender diverse person who has made an impact in New Brunswick film through mentorship and giving back in different ways to their creative community.

Mel McCarthy is a creator based in Atlantic Canada.  Her stories and events show audiences how each of us holds power for change.  Twenty years in salaried positions enabled her to develop a broad range of experience managing events, contingencies, budgets, deadlines, and people.  She is currently resting and playing more, and pushing the edges of her comfort zone by delving into short films, music, and Improv performance.  

She is a longstanding member of the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative, serving since 1999 in many capacities, from boom operator to director, to President of the Board of Directors. She has won prizes in essay and poetry contests, as well as a Short Film Venture grant and the NBFC Volunteer Award.  She participated three times in the PEI Screenwriters’ Boot Camp, and is redeveloping scripts that grew there. She has recently  taken Improv training through Solo Chicken Productions, and practices and performs with local troupe, Department of Improvised Comedy.

She is also a Reiki Master and practitioner, certified in Mental Health First Aid, a trainer of dogs and humans, and a strong advocate for active inclusion practices in places of work and play.