Marissa Schwartz is a two time Canadian Screen Award nominated costume designer based in Canada. Marissa’s journey as a costume designer is informed by her belief in the transformative power of art and the enduring magic of storytelling. With each stitch, she invites audiences into richly imagined worlds, where every costume whispers secrets and every fabric holds a tale.
One of Marissa's career-defining moments came with her work on Nathan Morlando’s gripping thriller "Mean Dreams," which premiered to critical acclaim in the Director's Fortnight program at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. This early success set the stage for a career filled with notable collaborations and achievements.
Marissa's talent continued to shine through in subsequent projects, including Jason Stone's "At First Light," which premiered at SXSW 2018, and Stephen Moyer’s directorial debut, "The Parting Glass," showcased at KVIFF 2018 and Edinburgh 2018. Her collaboration with director Keith Behrman on "Giant Little Ones," premiered at TIFF 2018.
In late 2017, Marissa forged a dynamic co-design partnership with Mara Zigler. Their inaugural project, "Mouthpiece," directed by Patricia Rozema, opened the Special Presentation program at TIFF 2018..
Continuing their successful collaboration, Marissa and Mara lent their creative vision to Semi Chellas’s "American Woman," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 2019. Their work on this period drama earned them a nomination for the 'Best Achievement in Costume Design Award' at the 2020 CSA's.
Marissa's expertise extends beyond the realm of film and onto the small screen. In 2023, she made her mark in television with a standout contribution to the final season of "Sort Of" (CBC GEM, HBO Max). Her work on episode 4, titled “Sort of Married,” earned her a nomination for ‘Best Achievement in Costume Design' at the 2024 CSA's.
Beyond the screen, Marissa is a passionate advocate for the role of costume design in shaping cultural narratives. She is inspired to work with the next generation of designers to harness the power of clothing as a medium of expression and storytelling.