Maria Velletri is a an award-winning writer and actress who has appeared in short films, original musicals, live stage shows, and can be seen in the lead role of Marissa Harrison in the feature film, THE KIDS OF GROVE directed by Damien Giglietta. In 2022 she wrote an original comedy horror short, THE MEOWLING OF APT. 6 which won her the Best Screenwriting Award at the OSC Film Festival. She is currently working as director, script editor and voice actor/puppeteer on the brand new children’s beatboxing show, RHYTHM BARNYARD.
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and Edith Cowan University was Maria’s stomping ground for three years whilst completing her Bachelor of Contemporary Arts with a double major in Contemporary Performance and Theatre Studies, which she completed in 2012 alongside her Cert II in Music Theatre at WAAPA. Since 2020 Maria has been training with US Dialogue Coach Kristy Sexton on her on-screen technique for both acting and writing.
In 2021 she played the role of the eccentric sister in the short mockumentary, PART-TIME SERIAL KILLER, and the far-away friend in the comedy short, SOUFFLÉ. In 2020 Maria didn’t let the lockdowns stop her, and was involved in several film projects including her directorial debut for the comedy short, STAGE FRIGHT, the hopeless romantic lead in the short film COME AGAIN, and the bubbly life-coach in the comedy pilot, BULK BILL.
Born in Italy, Maria immigrated to Perth, Australia at three years old and has continued to travel and live in various places around the world. In 2014, Maria moved to Vancouver to further pursue her work as an actor. Whilst there, she trained with Ben Ratner at Haven Studios and gained valuable experience in the film and television industry. She moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2016 and has been actively building her career there since. Maria has been very fortunate to work with many talented and well-respected industry professionals from all over the world, and is always looking for new opportunities to grow as an artist.
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