Melissa Parry has received international recognition and multiple awards for her work across both fiction and non-fiction genres. Notable works include National Geographic’s Birth of a Pride (2019), Netflix’s first African Original Queen Sono (2020), the Amazon USA series Classified (2023), and the documentary series Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star (2022) as well as the critically acclaimed Tracking Thabo Bester (2024), Showmax’s most-watched title across all genres.
She was nominated for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative in 2012 and completed a part-time master’s in History of Art at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2016, where she used film as a research tool to investigate the biographies of a selection of objects in the Standard Bank African Art Collection. This led to an invitation from the Wits Art Museum (WAM) for Melissa to write a chapter titled Moving images, moving perceptions: An interrogation of the use of film as a productive art history tool for the book Seen, Heard and Valued: WAM celebrates 40 Years of the Standard Bank African Art Collection (2021).
Melissa has collaborated with renowned South African artists such as Gabrielle Goliath, Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, Mohau Modisakeng, Nandipha Mntambo, and William Kentridge to create artist films that have been exhibited globally. Her works have been featured in prestigious events, including La Biennale di Venezia, Stranieri Ovunque (2024), the Birmingham 2022 Festival running parallel to the Commonwealth Games (2022), and The South African Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia (2017).
In 2022, Melissa was welcomed by the American Cinema Editors (ACE) as an International Partner member. She participated as a panelist in the ACE EditFest Global 2022 panel Editing for the World, as well as, the Global Editing Perspectives podcast released in 2025.
She also served as a mentor for CineGouna Funding films in post-production and participated in the panel Who Can Tell the Story at the CineGouna Forum during the 8th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival (2025).
In the latest episode of the Aces Global Editing Perspectives podcast, host Melissa Parry delves into the fascinating world of editing in both artist films and documentary films. This episode features insights from various professionals in the film industry, shedding light on the unique challenges and rewards faced by freelance editors. Join us as we explore how these creative individuals contribute to the storytelling process in cinema.
At EditFest Global 2022, we explore the dynamic world of artist films and documentary films, offering insights into the evolving film industry. Renowned freelance editor Melissa Parry will share her expertise and experiences, making this event a must-attend for those passionate about the art of editing.
PARRY, M. 2021. Chapter 37: Moving images, moving perceptions: An interrogation of the use of artist films as a productive art history tool. Seen, Heard and Valued: WAM celebrates 40 Years of the Standard Bank African Art Collection, pp. 308-314.
DE BECKER, L. & PARRY, M. 2014. Chapter 4: Deciphering the trace: Matano for Domba by Nelson Mukhuba. Lifelines: Object Biographies from the Standard Bank African Art Collection. Johannesburg: Standard Bank Gallery, pp. 39-46. This chapter also discusses the impact of documentary films in the film industry and highlights the contributions of freelance editor Melissa Parry.
2021
Excerpt from Johannes Maswanganyi (Video) for the exhibition Seen, Heard and Valued: WAM celebrates 40 Years of the Standard Bank African Art Collection, which highlights various artist films and documentary films that reflect the rich narratives within the film industry. This exhibition also showcases the work of freelance editor Melissa Parry, emphasizing the importance of her contributions to the art of storytelling in film.
CineGouna Post-Production Funding 2025
Mentor
Rough Cut Lab Africa 2021
Consultant
CineGouna Forum | 8th El Gouna Film Festival 2025
Who Can Tell The Story
Panelist with Heba Othman, Abbas Fahdel moderated by Ayman El Amir
16th Durban FilmMart 2025
African Editor Organisations Talking Together, Towards Working Together
Panelist with Heba Othman, Louiza Wanjiku moderated by Khalid Shamis S.A.G.E.
5th Locations Africa Conference 2024
The Finishing Touch
Panelist with Tongai Furusa, Alastair Orr and Tunde Ogundipe
26th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 2024
Documentary Editing
Panelist with Nikki Comninos S.A.G.E. and Khalid Shamis S.A.G.E.
ACE EditFest Global 2022
Editing for the World moderated by Alexander Berner, ACE
Panelist with Jean-Daniel Fernandez Qundez, ACE, Ahmed Hafez and Kasper Leick
Microsoft EMEA University Recruiting team and their interns 2021
Discussion with Kagiso Lediga about our creative experience and working processes on Queen Sono
Durban Talent Campus 2015
Moderator: Editing panel – Keep you Editor close
Durban Talent Campus 2014
Panelist: Editing panel – Editing to the Beat
Durban Talent Campus 2013
Moderator: Editing panel – Laying the cut
Durban International Film Festival 2012
Panelist: Editing panel – Deep Cuts: The Art of Editing
Durban Talent Campus 2012
Presented: Masterclass – Editing for engaging storytelling across fiction and non-fiction films
The 46th Durban International Film Festival 2025
Judge with Themba Sibeko, Ikenna Ezenyirioha and Rethabile Ramaphakela
The 7th Joburg Film Festival 2025
Judge with Ahmed Shawky, S’Thandiwe Kgoroge, Yolanda Ncokotwana, Muneera Sallies, Victor Okhai
The News & Documentary Emmy Awards 2023
Judge in the Outstanding Editing: Documentary category
The News & Documentary Emmy Awards 2022
Judge in the Best Documentary category
Durban International Film Festival 2016
Judge: Best South African Feature Film
London Film School 2011
Attendee: Sound and Music Techniques for Narrative Filmmaking by Gustavo Costantini
Durban Talent Campus 2010
Selected as a participant in the Talent Campus
Maine Media Workshops 2008
Attendee: Film Editor’s Master Class by Robert Q. Lovett
Attendee: The Art of Editing by Alyer J. Breau
Women of the Sun 2008
Attendee: Kill your Darlings by Susan Korda