Shawn Antoine II
Shawn Antoine II is a documentary and experimental filmmaker whose work centers on memory, identity, and the preservation of underrepresented Black histories. Raised in Harlem, Shawn draws deeply from his personal experiences and cultural heritage to tell stories that amplify voices often overlooked in mainstream media.
He earned his Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Documentary Media program and taught Introduction to Film Production to undergraduates there for two years, sharing his knowledge in editing, lighting, and cinematography. Shawn’s approach blends archival research, personal narrative, and innovative storytelling techniques to explore themes of spirituality, family legacy, and community resilience.
His industry experience includes assisting producers and directors on major projects such as The Penguin (HBO Max), The Blacklist (NBC), and Really Love (Netflix). Shawn’s own films have screened at prestigious venues and festivals including Lincoln Center, DOC NYC, FOX Soul, Google, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the St. Louis International Film Festival, the San Diego Film Festival, and the Pan African Film Festival.
Notable works include Kingdome, chronicling Harlem’s iconic basketball tournament; For Those That Lived There, exploring urban histories and memory; Showtime, a portrait of cultural performance; and most recently The Sight Unseen, a hybrid documentary about a miraculous family event in 1971 Bronx, blending archival materials with experimental re-creations.
Shawn’s work fosters dialogue on cultural preservation and Black narratives, striving to honor the past while inspiring future generations.
He earned his Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Documentary Media program and taught Introduction to Film Production to undergraduates there for two years, sharing his knowledge in editing, lighting, and cinematography. Shawn’s approach blends archival research, personal narrative, and innovative storytelling techniques to explore themes of spirituality, family legacy, and community resilience.
His industry experience includes assisting producers and directors on major projects such as The Penguin (HBO Max), The Blacklist (NBC), and Really Love (Netflix). Shawn’s own films have screened at prestigious venues and festivals including Lincoln Center, DOC NYC, FOX Soul, Google, the Gene Siskel Film Center, the St. Louis International Film Festival, the San Diego Film Festival, and the Pan African Film Festival.
Notable works include Kingdome, chronicling Harlem’s iconic basketball tournament; For Those That Lived There, exploring urban histories and memory; Showtime, a portrait of cultural performance; and most recently The Sight Unseen, a hybrid documentary about a miraculous family event in 1971 Bronx, blending archival materials with experimental re-creations.
Shawn’s work fosters dialogue on cultural preservation and Black narratives, striving to honor the past while inspiring future generations.
