Kevin McKiernan is an award-winning director, producer, and cinematographer. He is best known for his documentaries on international conflict and Native American rights.
McKiernan was born in 1956 in San Francisco, California. He spent his childhood years exploring the state’s diverse natural beauty. His parents instilled a love of the outdoors in him, which eventually led him to pursue a career in film.
McKiernan attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in film. After college, he began his career at National Geographic, where he worked as a photographer and cinematographer for several years.
In the early 1990s, McKiernan began his own production company, Wild West Productions. He quickly earned a reputation as an internationally-recognized filmmaker who was willing to take risks.
McKiernan’s work often focused on international conflict. He documented the Bosnian War in his 1995 film, “Warriors in Peace,” which won an Emmy Award. He also co-produced “The Long Walk,” which followed Native American activist Leonard Peltier on his quest for justice.
In 1997, McKiernan co-directed “The Battle of Wounded Knee,” which was nominated for an Academy Award. The documentary focused on the 1890 massacre of Native Americans by the U.S. Army and the subsequent occupation of the Wounded Knee area by traditional Lakota.
McKiernan has continued to document international conflict in his films, including his 2003 documentary “The Valley of Death,” which documented the conflict between the Kurds and Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
In addition to his documentaries, McKiernan has also produced narrative films, including “The Ballad of Little Jo” in 1993 and “The Way West” in 1997.
McKiernan is currently working on a feature-length documentary about the conflict in Afghanistan. He is also working on a feature-length narrative film about a Native American woman’s journey to reclaim her heritage.
Throughout his career, McKiernan has consistently focused on issues of social justice. He has been praised for his ability to bring meaningful stories to life, making him one of the most respected filmmakers in the industry.
