Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins, born on November 19, 1979, is an acclaimed American filmmaker. Jenkins' debut into filmmaking began with his short film, My Josephine in 2003, which led to the creation of his first feature film, Medicine for Melancholy in 2008. This film earned him a Best First Feature nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. He is affiliated with The Chopstars collective as a creative collaborator. After an eight-year hiatus, Jenkins directed and co-wrote the LGBT-themed independent drama, Moonlight (2016), an accomplishment decorated with numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture. He was the fourth Black nominee for Best Director and the second Black director of a Best Picture winner. Jenkins also showcased his talent in television, directing Chapter V of Netflix series Dear White People (2017) and creating the Amazon Video limited series, The Underground Railroad (2021), which earned him Emmy nominations and a Peabody Award. He was also recognized in Time 100's annual list of the most influential people in the world in 2017. Jenkins, who was born in Miami Florida, attended the Florida State University, where he ventured into film studies. He has a close affiliation with James Laxton, a cinematographer, with whom he works to create a unique and precise approach to imagery. As a creator, Jenkins places specific attention to his characters' emotive states. Many of his works, including Medicine for Melancholy, Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk are said to explore themes of childhood abandonment, interspersed with contemplations on Black identity.