Shabier Kirchner (born 1987/1988) is an Antiguan cinematographer and director based between London, New York, and the Caribbean. He won a BAFTA for his work on Steve McQueen's five-part anthology series Small Axe (2020).
Early life Kirchner grew up in the Falmouth Harbour area of Antigua island. He also spent some of his childhood in Germany, the home country of his father Bert, who owns the Papa Zouk Rum Shop in St. John's. Kirchner had undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD growing up. Struggling academically, he was introduced to camera work through his father, an underwater photographer and producer, as well as through a school workshop with a Dutch filmmaker. At 18, Kirchner enrolled in an introductory program at a film school in Vancouver before opting to learn through practical experience instead, dropping out with four of his classmates, with whom he made the short film Memoirs of the Blue.
Filmography Short film Year Title Director Notes 2010 Memoirs of the Blue Luke Hansen-MacDonald Also writer and producer 2011 Ugly Diego Siragna Also producer 2014 Wanderer 2015 I Am Selma Yossera Bouchtia Coke White, Starlight Tristan Patterson 2016 That One Day Crystal Moselle 2018 Dadli Himself Also producer Leaving Hope Caspar Newbolt 2021 Lizard Akinola Davies
Feature film Year Title Director 2015 Throuple Phillips Payson 2016 We've Forgotten More Than We Ever Knew Thomas Woodrow 2017 Sollers Point Matthew Porterfield 2018 Skate Kitchen Crystal Moselle Only You Harry Wootliff 2019 Bull Annie Silverstein 2023 Past Lives Celine Song 2025 Materialists TBA Carnation Amiel Courtin-Wilson Augustown Himself Enemies Henry Dunham
Television Year Title Director Notes 2020 Small Axe Steve McQueen Miniseries 2024 Get Millie Black Tanya Hamilton Miniseries
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref 2020 Independent Spirit Awards Best Cinematography Bull Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Best Cinematography Small Axe: "Lovers Rock" New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Cinematography Small Axe Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Best Cinematography Small Axe: "Lovers Rock" Florida Film Critics Circle Awards Best Cinematography Seattle Film Critics Society Best Cinematography Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards Best Cinematography Small Axe 2021 National Society of Film Critics Awards Best Cinematography Small Axe: "Lovers Rock" British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Photography & Lighting: Fiction Small Axe Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Small Axe: "Mangrove"
References
External links
Shabier Kirchner at Rathaus Films