Misael A. Martínez Melo

Misael A. Martínez Melo, known as Misa, is an independent documentary filmmaker and creative storyteller based in Olympia, Washington. Born in Puerto Rico, he grew up between Borikén and Kiskeya, and his Caribbean roots continue to shape his work and his commitment to social change.

Misa brings stories to life across documentary, commercial, and community-focused projects. His documentaries explore food justice, colonialism, and the connections between place and identity. In 2020, he released “For My Ancestors”, a profile of Olympia artist Aisha Harrison. The film was selected for Local Sightings and the Start Fresh Film Festival. In 2024, he premiered “Raíces”, a documentary about food sovereignty in Puerto Rico, which was selected for festivals including the New York Latino Film Festival, the 9na Muestra de Cine Documental Latinoamérica en Nosotrxs, the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival, and the Conch Shell International Film Fest. He is now developing other nonfiction projects that connect the Pacific Northwest with his Caribbean homelands in unexpected ways.

Through his production company MediaRoom, he helps organizations share impactful stories that reflect their mission and purpose. He has held leadership roles with the Seattle Documentary Association, Washington Filmworks Film Leadership Council, Asociación de Documentalistas de Puerto Rico, and Olympia Film Collective.

Outside of filmmaking, Misa is a DJ who brings vintage turntables and a love of retro dance music to the dance floor, mixing vinyl and digital sounds. He has also recently begun writing personal stories on Substack, making space for a more direct and intimate form of storytelling.