Sean Durkin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sean Durkin
Durkin at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Born	Timothy Sean Durkin (1981-12-09) December 9, 1981 (age 43) Canada
Other names	T. Sean Durkin
Occupation	Film director, screenwriter, film producer

Sean Durkin, born on December 9, 1981, is a talented Canadian-American film director, writer, and producer. He is famous for directing popular independent movies like Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), The Nest (2020), and The Iron Claw (2023). Sean also directed episodes for the TV series Southcliffe (2013) and the miniseries Dead Ringers (2023).

Growing Up and School

Sean Durkin was born in Canada. Soon after, his family moved to England. He grew up in North London and Surrey. When he was 12, his family moved to Manhattan, New York.

Durkin finished high school at Kent School in Kent, Connecticut in 2000. He then went to film school at New York University. He graduated in 2005 and completed his final film project in 2006. In 2008, he moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Sean Durkin's Film Career

Sean Durkin once shared that he thinks about things that scare him when he makes a film. He explores these fears to understand them better. Durkin is one of the people who started Borderline Films. He co-founded it with other directors, Antonio Campos and Josh Mond.

Early Short Films

Durkin began his career by directing several short films. His first short film was Doris in 2006. His short film, Mary Last Seen, won an award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

Directing Feature Films

Sean Durkin turned his short film Mary Last Seen into his first full-length movie. This was the psychological thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011). The movie starred Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, and Sarah Paulson. It tells the story of a woman who feels very paranoid after leaving an abusive cult. The film first showed at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. There, Durkin won the Dramatic Directing Award. Many critics praised the movie.

In 2013, Durkin directed the TV drama series Southcliffe for Channel 4. This series starred Sean Harris and Rory Kinnear. His second movie, The Nest (2020), was another psychological drama. It starred Carrie Coon and Jude Law. The film is about a couple whose marriage struggles after they move from New York to London. Vanity Fair magazine called it the best film of the year. The Nest was nominated for six British Independent Film Awards. Durkin himself was nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best British Independent Film.

Durkin's third film was the drama The Iron Claw (2023). This movie starred Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Lily James. It is a true story about the Von Erich family of wrestlers.

Favorite Movies

In 2012, Sean Durkin shared his ten favorite films in a poll by Sight & Sound magazine:

Sean Durkin's Filmography

Short Films

Feature Films

Executive Producer Roles

Producer Roles

Television Work

Music Videos

• "Air Traffic Control" by Louis XIV (2008)
• "Your Love Is Killing Me" by Sharon Van Etten (2014)

Awards and Nominations

Sean Durkin has received several awards and nominations for his work: