Full Name
Marissa McDowell
Job Title
First Nations Program and Outreach
Company
Sunny Side of the Doc
Biography
Marissa is a Wiradjuri woman from Cowra, NSW, with over 20 years of experience elevating First Nation storytelling globally. Her career is marked by impactful leadership across major Australian media institutions, including SBS at NITV, ABC, and GIO Stadium in live Rugby League and Union production.

As Head of Commissions at NITV with SBS, Marissa was instrumental in commissioning award-winning content across various genres and formats. Additionally, she is a commissioned documentary filmmaker and a published writer, with major art exhibitions featuring photography, literature, and multimedia. These diverse creative outlets highlight her storytelling versatility, showcasing her ability to engage audiences through multiple forms of expression.

Currently, Marissa leads the First Nations Program and Outreach at Sunny Side of the Doc in France, bridging First Nations industries with the global marketplace, distribution, and finance. Her influence extends through affiliations with organisations like imagineNATIVE, CBC, and the International Sami Film Institute.

Marissa's significant board appointments include Director roles with AIDC and Screenworks. She serves on the Minister's Creative Council ACT Government and is part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network artsACT. Additionally, she chairs the Us Mob Writing Group.
Her academic background includes a Master of Business Arts and Leadership from the Australian Film and Television Radio School, a Bachelor of Media Arts Honours from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage from the Charles Sturt University.
Marissa McDowell