Melody Gilbert is an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker who has directed, produced, shot (and sometimes edited) six feature-length documentaries since 2002. Her work is noteworthy for featuring a rare intimacy with her subjects as she unearths previously hidden worlds. She works mostly solo and has the ability to get people to reveal their innermost thoughts, whether it’s people who have full-fledged relationships with synthetic companions (SILICONE SOUL/2018), a family of a child who can’t feel pain (A LIFE WITHOUT PAIN/ SXSW), a former Vice President of the United States (FRITZ: THE WALTER MONDALE STORY/ PBS), or a physically healthy person who wants to become an amputee (WHOLE / Sundance Channel).Her films include: The Summer Help (2016), Fritz: The Walter Mondale Story (2008), Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness (2007), A Life without Pain (2005), Whole (2003) and Married at the Mall (2002). All of her films have screened at prestigious film festivals, in theaters and on television worldwide, including the Sundance Channel, PBS and on dozens of international networks and on Netflix and iTunes. Recently, Melody co-directed first 3D documentary made in Bulgaria Steps in the Fire (2015), was producer of the award-winning The Starfish Throwers (named “Most Heartwarming Documentary of 2014” by the Huffington Post), executive producer of American Heart (2015) and currently the co-producer/writer of Women Outward Bound (MSPIFF 2016).