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Mark Young is an artist and independent filmmaker, making movies for over a decade. Born in New York, he went to college for architectural design, but left school to become a fine artist. Young’s paintings have been featured at the Hirshhorn Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

In 1995, Young wrote and directed the 35mm short DEAD BODIES, which has screened in more than 40 film festivals internationally. Film critic Matt Brunson said DEAD BODIES is “filmmaking at its most uncompromising.” Atom Films acquired it in 1996.

In 2004, Young wrote and directed the independent feature PHREAKER. Critics called this film “fiendishly clever” and “a savvy techno-thriller”. PHREAKER won the 2005 Asheville Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award and Best Overall Film at the 2005 Southern Exposures. Kindred Media Group acquired the film in 2005.

In 2007, Young left behind a career as an award-winning creative director to become a full-time filmmaker. He wrote, produced and directed SOUTHERN GOTHIC, starring William Forsythe and Yul Vazquez. It debuted at the 2007 Dead by Dawn Film Festival in Scotland, and the 2008 SXSW Film Festival. Horrorview.com said, “Serious-minded and intelligent horror films like this don’t come along too often.” Dead by Dawn said, “Brilliant atmosphere and cinematography. Hopper-esque compositions and lighting...with such style you want to slather some scenes with butter and just devour them.” The film is being released by IFC Films in 2010.

In October 2007, Young was hired to write and direct TOOTH AND NAIL starring Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones, Robert Carradine, Rider Strong, Rachel Miner and Michael Kelly. The film was written in 2 weeks, produced in 2 weeks, and shot in 17 days. TOOTH AND NAIL premiered at the 2007 Screamfest Los Angeles. BloodyDisgusting.com said “Visually remarkable… an incredibly atmospheric film that looks quite expensive.” Critic Dustin Putnam said, “A well-acted, professionally-shot post-apocalyptic thriller.” It was released on 500 screens by Lion’s Gate as part of the “Eight Films to Die For” series.

In late 2008 Young wrote, directed and produced the ultra-low budget feature THE KILLING JAR, starring Michael Madsen, Harold Perrineau, Amber Benson, Jake Busey, and Danny Trejo, is being released in 2010 by New Films International theatrically in several cities, including New York and Los Angeles.

Mark splits his time between writing in coffee shops and riding his BMW 1150R, but secretly lusts for the new Ducati Streetfighter S.