DIRECTOR XAVIER BURGIN

Xavier Burgin is an Emmy-nominated writer/director from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. He’s the director of Shudder’s first original documentary, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. He’s a Sundance Fellow, HBO Alumni, Berlinale Talent, Ryan Murphy Directing Fellow, Screencraft Winner, and Academy Nicholl Top 50 Screenwriter.

Horror Noire expounds on the untold history of Black Americans in horror cinema. It is the first, original documentary produced by AMC Networks’ Shudder streaming service. The film currently holds a “100% Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. Horror Noire has been listed as one of the “Best Horror Movies of 2019” from USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Shondaland, Harper’s Bazaar, and more. It had its world premiere at American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, along with screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film won a Trailblazer Award from FEARnyc Film Festival and was a best documentary nominee for the Detroit Film Critics Society.

Xavier directed Episode 204 and Episode 207 of the Emmy-winning series, Giants. The show premiered on Issa Rae’s Color Creative before being acquired by TVOne. His directorial work earned him an “Outstanding Directing For A Digital Drama Series” nomination.

Xavier has written multiple projects he is attached to direct and/or is currently in development. Tina & The Gucci Flip Flop, an interactive story, earned him a significant following online thanks to its raunchy, but relatable humor. He developed the story into SANKOVA, an animated series focusing on young, black adults in an afro-futuristic, mega-city based on black internet culture.

On Time, a story focusing on the judicial system’s unfair treatment of mothers, received accolades from The Academy Nicholl Fellowship, Atlanta Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Screencraft, and more. The proof of concept premiered on HBO and was showcased on Issa Rae’s Short Film Sundays.

Late Registration, a comedy series focusing on black students at a predominantly white, southern college, was a selection for The Sundance Institute’s Youtube New Voices Lab. The project was acquired by Baron Davis’ No Label.

A Family Reunion, a southern, gothic horror about a young boy who fights to stop his family from sacrificing a loved one to an African deity for generational wealth and talent, was chosen for the Sundance Beta Workshop.

Xavier shadowed on season six of American Horror Story for Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative. He’s a Berlinale Talent, a creative program created by The Berlin International Film Festival. He was a finalist for the Commercial Directors Diversity Program and Disney|ABC’s Writing Program. He’s also semifinalist for Sony’s Diverse Directors Program and Viacom’s Emerging Directors Program

Olde E, his thesis film, earned him a semifinalist nod for the 43rd Student Academy Awards. It is currently playing on Omeleto, where it has amassed over 400K+ views. Other, his film about Black America’s two voices, has been featured on Shadow & Act, Colorlines, and Bossip.

Xavier has worked with AMC, Shudder, Discovery Channel, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, Baron Davis’ No Label, Stage 3 Productions, Bazelevs, Google, D.C. Comics, and Lenovo.