Canadian filmmaker, documentarian and playwright Michael Melski (pictured) has died at the age of 56.

The Nova Scotian director behind the docs Perfume War (Loud Baby Productions) and Rare Bird Alert (Dream Street Pictures) died on July 18. The cause of death had not been released at press time.

Born and raised in Cape Breton, N.S., Melski worked across genres as a writer, director and producer, with projects ranging from the 2017 horror The Child Remains (Malefic Films) to the Rosanna Arquette-starring 2008 comedy Growing Op (CinImage Productions, Emotion Pictures).

On the documentary side of Melski’s work, the 2017 feature-length Perfume War told the story of the creation of a socially conscious perfume business born out of a promise made from one friend to another. Rare Bird Alert, which aired on CBC Gem in 2020, followed a “punk rock birder” encountering other bird enthusiasts on travels across North America.

Outside of film, Melski authored a number of plays that were performed internationally, including 2001’s Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad and 2005’s The Fly Fisher Companion. He served as artist-in-residence at several theatres.

According to his obituary, he was also a lifelong fly-fisherman, golfer, trivia buff, late-blooming guitarist and passionate Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He also singlehandedly restored his family’s Margaree River cabin, naming it “Metanoia.”

Via social media, Screen Nova Scotia issued a remembrance of Melski, which read in part: “He will be missed by all of us in the film, television and theatre communities, and leaves behind a legacy that will live on.”

Melski is survived by siblings Sandra, Anne Marie and Chris, as well as several nieces and nephews. His family will hold a private memorial service, noted his obituary.

A version of this story by Barry Walsh originally appeared in Realscreen

Image courtesy of Screen Nova Scotia