Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins is a writer, director, and producer best known for his critically acclaimed film "Moonlight," which he co-wrote and directed. The film earned the accolade of Best Picture at the 2016 Academy Awards and Golden Globes. In addition, Jenkins was honored with the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, along with a multitude of other prestigious awards, such as the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Jenkins' prowess extends beyond the realm of film and into television. He demonstrated his directorial skills in the 2017 Netflix series "Dear White People," as well as in the 2021 Amazon Video limited series "The Underground Railroad," based on Colson Whitehead's eponymous novel. His extraordinary work on "The Underground Railroad" merited a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie. Furthermore, Jenkins directed the prequel to Disney's The Lion King, titled "Mufasa: The Lion King," and his production company, Pastel, has signed a first-look deal with HBO, HBO Max, and A24.

Jenkins was heralded as one of TIME magazine's "Most Influential People" of 2017 and Fast Company's "Most Creative People" of the same year. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, he graduated from Florida State University with a BFA in film. Currently based in Los Angeles, Jenkins also serves as a curator at the Telluride Film Festival and a United States Artists Smith Fellow. In 2023, he served as the head of the Platform Prize jury at the Toronto International Film Festival.