Moving-pictures-stories-guy based in Sydney, Australia.
COMMERCIAL
PHOTOPLAY FILMS
Oliver Lawrence, Executive Producer
+61 412 265 078 | oliver@photoplay.co | photoplay.co
DRAMA + MUSIC VIDEO
DIRECT
+61 415 560 208 | melvin.montalban@gmail.com
Melvin J. Montalban is a filmmaker and visual artist whose work spans television drama, commercials, music videos, and short films. He is drawn to stories exploring the human impact on our shared world and each other, particularly intergenerationally, and how the power of storytelling offers us opportunities to heal.
He made his long-form directorial debut with The Unusual Suspects (SBS), produced by Aquarius Films and starring Miranda Otto and Aina Dumlao. Currently in development, he is attached to direct psychological horror The Sandhouse with You’re So Cool Films.
Melvin’s visual art practice includes Temple (2022) and Nest (2024), both large-scale, multi-channel video installations created in collaboration with Leila Jeffreys. His short film Letters, a sobering tale of bushfire survival, was a call to arms in support of MP Zali Steggall’s Climate Change Bill.
A graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, Melvin’s early short films Rope Burn and Cupid screened at over 20 international festivals, including Palm Springs International ShortFest, Cleveland IFF, Sedona IFF, Reel Shorts FF Cananda, Raindance London, and Short Shorts Japan.
PRESS FOR THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
‘Melvin Montalban to make his TV Directing Debut on SBS’s The Unusual Suspects’ - IF.COM.AU
‘The Unusual Suspects is authentic and refreshing’ - REVIEW, SCREENHUB.COM.AU
‘Class comedy with bite’ - REVIEW, SMH.COM.AU
‘Expect a really entertaining ride,’ says director of The Unusual Suspects - INTERVIEW, SBS.COM.AU
‘Filipino stories and representation highlighted in the new SBS show’ - PHILTIMES.COM.AU
‘A story that feels true to us’ - INTERVIEW, SBS.COM.AU
‘The Unusual Suspects … bound for Series Mania’ - IF.COM.AU
PRESS FOR LETTERS
‘Letters tells urgent tale of bushfire survival’ - CAMPAIGNBRIEF.COM.AU
PRESS FOR SHAKE THE DUST OFF YOUR WINGS
‘Shake The Dust Off Your Wings at The Galeries’ - BROADSHEET.COM.AU