Shannon Young began his filmmaking career by producing feature length VHS horror movies and directing large-scale stage productions at his suburban high school, where he received several awards. He was subsequently accepted to the Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts at RMIT where he co-directed his first 16mm feature, the low budget action-horror film Stygian with James Wan (of Saw fame, where Stygian is actually referenced during the film). Stygian became an award winner and screened at local and international film festivals, including Dead By Dawn in Scotland.

Shannon went on to direct the controversial independent Melbourne feature film Razor Eaters, which was highly publicised after becoming the subject of a full police investigation over its subject matter. Razor Eaters has since received five star reviews, some theatrical exposure in Australia and overseas, and won a number of major awards at film festivals. Shannon has now secured representation in the United States with Concept Entertainment, Los Angeles where he has a new horror script in development. He has also guest-lectured on independent filmmaking at local and international universities and had articles published on the debate over violent cinema.