Steve McQueen

Born:: 9 October 1969, London, England
Nationality:: British
Profession(s):: Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer, Video Artist

Early Life and Education

Born in London to Grenadian and Trinidadian parents.
Educated at Drayton Manor High School in London.
Studied art at Chelsea College of Arts and Goldsmiths, University of London.

Career and Major Achievements

Began his career as a visual artist before transitioning to filmmaking.
Won the Turner Prize in 1999 for his art installations.
His film Hunger (2008), about the 1981 Irish hunger strike, won the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Directed Shame (2011), starring Michael Fassbender, exploring themes of sexual addiction.
Directed and co-wrote 12 Years a Slave (2013), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and for which he was nominated for Best Director. This is the context where, within discussions of prominent filmmakers, one might encounter the phrase 'director steve mcqueen biography 12'.
Directed Widows (2018), a heist thriller co-written with Gillian Flynn.
Directed the Small Axe anthology film series (2020), exploring the lives of West Indian immigrants in London.

Notable Works

Year	Title	Role
2008	Hunger	Director, Co-writer
2011	Shame	Director, Co-writer
2013	12 Years a Slave	Director
2018	Widows	Director, Co-writer
2020	Small Axe	Director, Co-writer (multiple episodes)

Awards and Recognition

Turner Prize (1999)
Caméra d'Or (Cannes Film Festival) for Hunger (2008)
Academy Award for Best Picture for 12 Years a Slave (2014)
BAFTA Award for Best Film for 12 Years a Slave (2014)
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama for 12 Years a Slave (2014)

Legacy and Impact

Steve McQueen is a significant figure in contemporary cinema, known for his unflinching and often brutal portrayals of human experience, particularly within the contexts of race, trauma, and social injustice. His work consistently pushes boundaries and challenges audiences.