Creative visionary in film and music

MELISSA ZHEN ZHU RIEMER

Born in Australia and having lived a globally nomadic life, Melissa proudly embraces her Chinese and German heritage, as well as dual citizenship in Australia and Canada.

Her storytelling is deeply influenced by the cultures she’s immersed herself in, drawing from a life spent abroad and the diverse perspectives she has encountered.

A passionate advocate for diversity, Melissa weaves this ethos into all of her work, ensuring underrepresented voices are heard with depth and authenticity.

As a musician, her performances have spanned continents, with her music and live performances featured in film, television, fashion week, nightclubs, and special events.

In screenwriting, her latest project, Salty, is currently in post-production after principal photography at Gunnamatta Beach in Victoria, Australia. The film serves as a proof of concept for Boys of Summer, a TV series in development for both Australian and international audiences.

Beyond film and music, Melissa is also a writer for various magazines and online publications, where her interviews and editorials have reached a global readership.

Multifaceted, Multi-disciplinarian.

Learn about Melissa's intersection of film, music, and storytelling through diverse artistic expression

Film Projects

Melissa’s screenwriting career is a fusion of rich storytelling and hands-on industry experience, shaped by her work in North American story rooms during the Pacific Screenwriting Program, crafting TV episodes, and honing her skills in script analysis and production. Producing her short "Salty", Melissa has attended numerous workshops on producing and budgeting within parameters to create successful films.
She brings a deep understanding of character and narrative, creating compelling stories that resonate across film and television. With a focus on bold, character-driven narratives, her projects push the boundaries of representation and storytelling on a global scale.

Music & Composition

Discover Melissa’s music career which spans performance, production, and songwriting, with her work amassing over 400,000 streams across platforms. A versatile composer, instrumentalist, and vocalist, she brings her sound to life through hands-on production in her in-house recording and mixing suite. Her music has been featured in film, TV, and live performances worldwide, seamlessly blending atmospheric storytelling with dynamic soundscapes that elevate visual narratives.

For well over a decade, Melissa has built an international career in both high fashion and commercial modeling, working across major markets. Her experience in front of the camera extends beyond fashion, with acting credits in various TV shows and feature films in Australia and North America, including numerous U.S. productions. This dual perspective—both as a performer and storyteller—has given her a deep understanding of character, visual storytelling, and the nuances of on-screen representation.