Weaving Global Narratives with Cinematic Precision and Cultural Insight.
Past collaborators and clients include: The Guardian, CNN, Arts Council England, WeTransfer, Deutsche Welle News, Film London, Doc Society, The British Museum, TAIT, Trippin etc.
Melanie Cura Daball is multi-hyphenate film creative of Syrian heritage raised between Germany and Argentina, and currently based in London, UK. Over 10 years working in film and TV industries, she has forged a distinguished career at the intersection of journalism and filmmaking, marked by her adept storytelling that weaves through diverse cultural, geographical and deeply personal landscapes.
Beginning her journey in news presenting and documentaries, Melanie served as the Nairobi Bureau Chief and East Africa Correspondent for Deutsche Welle (DW), directing and producing over 50 documentaries and current affairs films, spanning topics of health, politics, terrorism, crime, and culture. Setting up the bureau and building a local team was a profound educational experience that sharpened her ability to navigate and unite varied communities focused on impactful and truthful storytelling. This background in documentary laid a robust foundation for her transition into the film industry, where she continued to explore and illuminate the human condition with added creativity, nuance and collaboration.
Her directorial debut, Trust Me (2023), is characterised by an exhilarating blend of narrative innovation and deep human insight - a hybrid animated and live-recreation documentary funded by the BFI Doc Society which screened at Aesthetica and Encounters film festivals before premiering at BIFA qualifying Director’s Notes. The poignant film explores the complexities of mental health through a mix of animation, narration, and cinematic recreation, offering a sensitive portrayal of life with bipolar disorder. Her latest narrative project, Sweet Tooth (2024) intertwines family drama with the intrigue of a queer murder mystery, and is currently touring the festival circuit. She is currently in active development for her first drama pilot.
On the production front, Melanie has adeptly managed budgets up to £200k, collaborating with prestigious organizations such as TAIT, FLAMIN, and The British Museum. Her recent production, short film Thieves has been recognized at numerous film festivals, including LFF, LSFF, and Aesthetica.
In 2023, Melanie embarked on an ambitious new endeavour with the establishment of Keep Rolling Studios. This initiative underscores her commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling to captivate and challenge global audiences. At Keep Rolling Studios, Melanie is dedicated to crafting narratives that not only entertain but also provoke thought and instigate change, highlighting stories that often remain untold.
Through her extensive body of work across films, television, podcasts, and interactive media, Melanie Cura Daball stands out as a visionary filmmaker and producer, continually striving to illuminate the untold and overlooked narratives of our time.
