Shannon Meilak

Shannon Meilak is an award winning Director who refuses to see boundaries. Where others see impossibility, Shannon sees opportunity to rise to the challenge. After dealing with an unjust welfare system in Australia, Shannon didn't rock back and forth in a manner akin to 'Ken Bruce', but set out to write and direct her first short film 'Flatline' (Best Comedy Foreign Short Film Nominee at 'Hollywood South Film Festival'); a satirical film about an ordinary man, who becomes zombified by his attempt to apply for welfare at CemeteryLink. Whilst studying film and television at Swinburne University, Shannon traveled to India where she was mentored by respected Bollywood filmmakers and produced her first short documentary; 'Highlight and Contour' (Official Selection 'UNO Film Festival' & 'Miami Indie Fest'), a film that looks at gender bias in the Bollywood film industry. She later followed this up with a tour of Italy, where she studied Italian neorealist film. Shannon is a quirky and candid filmmaker and isn't afraid to go where others fear to tread. In 2015, she began work on her documentary directorial debut; 'Beyond the Pointy Hat' (Bronze Award Winner 'Virgin Spring Cinefest', Winner Best Student Film 'South Shore Film Festival', Finalist 'Cult Critic Movie Awards', Semi-Finalist 'Los Angeles Cinefest', 'Utah Film Festival & Awards' and 'Small Axe @Tolpuddle Radical Film Festival') a uniquely honest and personal look at witchcraft in Australia. In addition to directing, Shannon's other real passion is Production Design, she is nothing if not adaptable. Shannon has production designed short films and television shows, including the award winning film 'The Forgotten Children' (Gold Award Winner 'Spotlight Horror Film Awards' 2017). One thing is abundantly clear; Shannon brings passion and a quirky sense of candour and flair to all of her creative pursuits.