Shannon Meilak

Shannon Meilak is a multi-award-winning filmmaker, presenter, and storyteller whose work challenges convention and amplifies underrepresented voices. A disabled, neurodivergent, and queer creative, Shannon transforms her lived experience into a powerful artistic lens—one that finds possibility where others expect limitation. Her directorial debut, Flatline—a satirical short inspired by her experience navigating Australia’s welfare system—earned international acclaim, winning at both the Independent Horror Movie Awards and 6ix Screams International Horror Film Festival.

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Shannon’s filmmaking journey began at Swinburne University, where she studied film and television while expanding her craft globally. During a mentorship with renowned Bollywood filmmakers in India, she produced her first documentary, Highlight and Contour, an incisive examination of gender bias in Bollywood. She later enriched her cinematic foundation through a study tour of North-Eastern Italy, immersing herself in the legacy of Italian neorealism.

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Her bold, candid, and deeply human approach to documentary storytelling led to further recognition with Beyond the Pointy Hat, an intimate exploration of witchcraft in Australia. The film received awards from the Bedford International Film Festival, South Shore Film Festival, and Virgin Spring Cinefest, solidifying her reputation for authentic and unconventional narratives.

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Beyond directing, Shannon brings a keen visual sensibility to production design, contributing to a range of projects including the award-winning The Forgotten Children. Her industry standing was further affirmed in 2020 when she was invited to judge the Free Speech Film Festival in Philadelphia, and again in 2021 when she joined the Arts Advisory Committee for Brimbank City Council and began writing for Janks Reviews.

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In 2024, Shannon joined the Share Your Story project as a portrait photographer, helping illuminate the lived experiences of women impacted by family violence. That same year, she contributed to the award-winning television series All In (Best New Program, Antenna Awards 2025), a groundbreaking production centred on people with disability. By 2025, Shannon expanded her craft into news media, working as a journalist for Laneway: A CTV News Project. She continues to write editorial pieces for The Westsider and for People With Disability Australia.

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Shannon also expresses her creative voice through poetry—often crafting raw, hard-hitting personal pieces that explore the powerful juxtaposition of vulnerability and strength.

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With her distinctive creative vision, candid storytelling, and unwavering commitment to authenticity, Shannon continues to push artistic boundaries—infusing every project with depth, courage, and an unmistakable sense of purpose.

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Shannon is a proud member of:

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Australian's in Film (AiF)

Women In Film & Television (WIFT) Victorian Chapter

Women In Film & Television (WIFT) Australia

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)/Australian Journalists Association