Melinda Marroquin is an award-winning filmmaker, director, and producer based in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in Mission, Texas, she was introduced to the world of film and theater at an early age. At just seven years old, she made her on-screen debut in the 1977 feature She Came to the Valley, sparking a lifelong passion for storytelling.



Throughout her early career, Marroquin appeared in numerous films (Wayne's World 2, Sister Act 2, Strange Days, The Newton Boys) and television movies (True Women, The People Next Door), but her transition behind the camera is where she truly found her voice. Working as a 2nd Assistant Director (Switch Up, Esther’s Diary, Secret at Arrow Lake, Missionary Man, Inspector Mom, The Insatiable) and Production Coordinator (Circle of Pain, The Sno Cone Stand, Waking Dreams, Harvest of Redemption), she developed a deep understanding of the craft and production process—laying the groundwork for her emergence as a director.

A passionate advocate for women and Latinx voices in film, Marroquin is also an active member of the Austin Film Society, Austin/All Entertainment Business, and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP). She frequently appears as a guest judge and panelist at festivals such as CineSol, Cine Las Americas, South Texas International Film Festival, and Ethereal Horror Fest. Marroquin currently has three original projects in development that she owns: a Vietnam war hero biopic, a historical limited television series set during the Mexican Revolution, and a hilarious, raunchy female-led feature comedy.

Contact Melinda at vicepresidentmelinda@wiftaustin.org.