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Kira Kelly
Born
Kira Denise Kelly
Education Northwestern University (BS)
Occupation Cinematographer
Years active 1998–present

Kira Kelly is an American cinematographer. She is perhaps best known for her work on 13th, which earned her an Emmy Award nomination, and the cable series Queen Sugar.

Career

Kelly is a graduate of Northwestern University with a major in Radio/Television/Film. Her professional film career began as an electrician. In a 2017 interview on the public radio series The Frame, she indicated that she would also "shoot any project I could get my hands on."

She also learned a lot from working as a gaffer on bigger budget projects. Her early work as a cinematographer included two features directed by Tom Gustafson and the Hulu series East Los High.

A big break in her career occurred when Ava DuVernay reached out to her through social media. This eventually led to Kelly being hired to work on 13th, for which she received an Emmy Award nomination.

Influences

Kelly is influenced by the work of Rinko Kawauchi, Martina Hoogland Ivanow, and Cy Twombly.

Selected filmography

Film

Year Title Director Notes
2008 Reflections Eli Hershiko
America's Shadows: HIV Risk in Black & Latino Youth Tchaiko Omawale
Were the World Mine Tom Gustafson
2009 Estilo Hip Hop Virgilio Bravo and Loira Limbal
2012 Changing Face of Harlem Shawn Batey
Mariachi Gringo Tom Gustafson
2013 Pop Star Carlos Portugal
2014 Back on Board: Greg Louganis Cheryl Furjanic
2016 13th Ava DuVernay Emmy Award nomination
2019 Skin in the Game Adisa
2021 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Destin Daniel Cretton Additional photography
2024 Rez Ball Sydney Freeland
2025 Him Justin Tipping

Television

Year Title Director(s) Notes
2020 Madam C. J. Walker Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis
2019 The Red Line Kevin Hooks, et al.
2017-2019 Queen Sugar Ava DuVernay, et al.
2017 Iron Maidens
2013-2016 East Los High Carlos Portugal, et al.
2021 Y: The Last Man Louise Friedberg, Daisy von Scherler Mayer 2 episodes
2024 Echo Sydney Freeland 4 episodes

Awards and recognition

  • Nominated – Emmy Award for 13th

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kira Kelly para niños

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