Shawn Antoine II

Biography:

Shawn Antoine II is a filmmaker from Harlem, NY, whose journey in storytelling began with editing youth football footage, a skill that evolved into a calling. After playing collegiate football and studying public relations at the University of Rhode Island, Shawn produced SHOWTIME, a short film that confirmed his path in filmmaking. The film, which screened at over 50 festivals and aired on Magic Johnson’s ASPIRE TV, cemented his passion for cinematic storytelling. Currently, he recentely earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Documentary Media at Northwestern University, continuing to refine his voice as an artist. Shawn’s storytelling extends beyond the screen to his role as a leader in education. In 2020, he became one of the youngest Directors of Admissions in the country at Cardinal Hayes High School, his alma mater. His films capture deeply resonant themes of community, identity, and resilience, seen in works like For Those That Lived There, which explores gentrification and cultural legacy, and KINGDOME, a tribute to Harlem’s legendary streetball culture, both of which have garnered wide acclaim on the festival circuit. His industry experience includes assisting producers and directors on major projects like The Penguin (HBO Max), The Blacklist (NBC), and Really Love (Netflix). His films have screened at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center, DOC NYC, FOX Soul, Google, and the Gene Siskel Film Center, as well as at the St. Louis International Film Festival, San Diego Film Festival, and Pan African Film Festival.