Misselwitz was born in 1947 near Zwickau (Saxony). In 1970, she moved to East Berlin where she worked for East German television as a presenter and assistant director. From 1978-82 she studied film direction in Potsdam-Babelsberg. After graduating, she did not return to television but instead began working as a freelance writer and director. Following her studies with Heiner Carow at the Academy of Arts of the GDR, Misselwitz produced several short documentaries including her masterpiece, Winter adé. As a professor she teaches film directing at the Film School in Potsdam-Babelsberg