Meesh enjoys telling heightened reality stories that remain grounded in the nuanced complexity of human emotions.
“[Meesh] has shattered the glass ceiling by being the first writer to have two projects accepted into the [Whistler] Talent Lab.” Darren Wiesner
She won Best Director – North America for her work on Where Everyone Lives and Best Female Filmmaker for her work on Sweet Release in the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival where both shorts also took home Best LGBTQ Film. She was also awarded Best Director for Where Everyone Lives in the Berlin Indie Film Festival.
“Her ability to strike when the iron is hot is something Meeshelle does before lunch. I’m still looking for my missing sock and she’s already written the next best chapter!” Darren Wiesner
Following on the heels of the concept short under the same title, Meeshelle is in development on her feature film Sweet Release. This full-length magical realism story is being brought to life with the help of the WIDC CBC Films Talent Development Award and the Whistler Producers Lab. The script has received funding and was shortlisted for the Sundance Development Track. Heidi Lasi of Pelee Entertainment is attached as the producer.
She adapted Mental to the screen from a one-woman stage play. The film received BravoFACT funding as well as multiple awards, international recognition, and co-earned her a WIFTV Spotlight Image Award.
“I cannot say enough great things about this Canadian jewel and her contributions to film and television.” Darren Wiesner
Meeshelle is proud to have served a full term on the board for Women in Film & Television Vancouver and to have been one of the mentors in Cinevic’s inaugural training program The Incubators, which she returned to teach in their follow-up year. She has sat on many jury’s including the WIDC Feature Film Award, East Van Monologue Match, CINESPARK Script Competition & Directing Change Canada. She is often hired to direct, write, story edit, career consult, pitch coach and has ghost written multiple novels with Hanai Publishing.
As part of her professional development, Meeshelle participated in workshops such as the: STORYHIVE Career Accelerator Program, Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Career Advancement Module, the immersive Story and Leadership program and Whistler Talent Labs. She was shortlisted for the CFC Bell Media Prime Time TV Program in 2022. As well, she received funding from the Ontario Arts Council to sharpen her artistic skills.
In addition to working in film, Meeshelle is an author and has published the Betwixt trilogy. She was a recipient of the Amy Ferris Fellowship award for her novel, Betwixt: The Call of the Void (now available as an audio book). She is currently in development on an adaptation of the books into a TV series with the help of the Whistler Talent Labs. Alexandra Caulfield of Alley Rock Films and Veronika Kurz of Paperbag Productions are attached as producers.
“Whoa,” says Amy Ferris about Betwixt: The Call of the Void, “This piece did me in. Did. Me. In. Stunning. Just stunning.”
Meeshelle Neal 