Melanie Burford is a filmmaker and photographer based in Bergen, Norway. Her career began in New Zealand before moving to America in 1999 and becoming a staff photographer and video journalist at The Dallas Morning News. She was part of the team of Dallas Morning News photographers who received the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of Hurricane Katrina.  In 2009 Melanie moved to New York becoming Series Producer at Blue Chalk Media and a founding member of the photo collective Prime.

Melanie believes strongly in the education and celebration of young voices around the world. She founded a visual production company, The Silvereye Project celebrating home, identity and belonging between cultures. She was Coordinator for three National Geographic Photo Camps in Norway and was Editor for National Geographic Photo Camp in India. Her teaching career includes Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Bergen and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Melanie’s work has been recognized at the Emmy Advanced Media Awards, the Webby Awards, National Headliner Awards, the Harry Chapin Media Awards, the Clarion Awards, NPPA Best of Photojournalism and Pictures of the Year International.