MELVER RITZ L. GOMEZ is an Ilokano writer and director who creates films that focus on the customs and traditions of the Ilokano people. He received mentorship from National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee during his participation in Batch 24 of the Ricky Lee Film Scriptwriting Workshop. He also established the Pelikula Ilokana Film Festival, a platform where Ilokano filmmakers gather to showcase and highlight Ilokano films.

His film Karkarma was selected for the short film showcase at Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival in 2023, held at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and was featured in the 16th Cinema Rehiyon by the National Committee on Cinema of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, held at the University of the Philippines Visayas. The same film bagged the Gimadyawan Best Film Award at the 10th Nabunturan Independent Film Exhibition, held in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

His documentary film Iyallatiw won Best Story Writer and Best Director at the International Film Festival in Manhattan and the Reels International Film Festival in India. The same film also received recognition from Gawad Alternatibo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and earned the Silver Prize at the Viddsee Juree Awards Luzon 2021.

His film Ina Bulan, supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, was screened in selected SM and Robinsons Movieworld cinemas as part of the Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2024. It was also shown at the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Videotheque for the EdukSine Film Festival 2025, where it won Best Picture. Additionally, it was screened at Cinema Rehiyon 17, held in Butuan City, Mindanao—a gathering of regional filmmakers and a showcase of regional films. The film received several other recognitions in various film festivals, including the Best Actress Award at the PangaSine Film Festival 2025, and was selected as an Official Selection at the Emirates Film Festival in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The same film was also nominated for Best Regional Film at the FAMAS Short Film Festival 2025, held at the Music Museum in Pasay.

A two-time GAWAD PASADO winner, he was honored with the awards for Pinakamahusay na Pelikula sa Paggamit ng Wika at Pagpapahalaga sa Kultura and Pinakapasadong Dokumentaryong Pampelikula. His films were also nominated by the highly respected Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino for Best Documentary at the 46th Gawad Urian and Best Short Film at the 47th Gawad Urian.