# Barry Jenkins Revisits Moonlight 10 Years Later

> Barry Jenkins reflects on Moonlight's Oscar win and emotional impact after 10 years.
- Title: Barry Jenkins Revisits Moonlight 10 Years Later · Vanity Fair
- Summary: Barry Jenkins reflects on Moonlight's Oscar win and emotional impact after 10 years. Jenkins credits Moonlight's creation to a deeply personal process that…
- Keywords: barry jenkins, moonlight, telluride film festival, oscar, a24, best picture, mufasa, be my baby, alvin ailey, tarell alvin mccraney, emerson college, oscar envelopegate
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/barry-jenkins-revisits-moonlight-10-years-later
- Author: Rebecca Ford
- Published: 2026-09-28T17:00:45.052+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: barry jenkins, moonlight, telluride film festival, oscar, a24, best picture, mufasa, be my baby, alvin ailey, tarell alvin mccraney, emerson college, oscar envelopegate
## Jenkins at Telluride
Barry Jenkins returned to Telluride Film Festival to host Moonlight's anniversary screening.

> I had no idea it was going to move people the way it did.
## Moonlight's Premiere
Moonlight premiered at Telluride 10 years ago and became a critically acclaimed Oscar contender.
## Oscar Envelopegate
Moonlight won best picture after a mix-up during the 2017 Oscars, with the wrong envelope being read.
## Emotional Revisit
Jenkins described watching Moonlight for the first time in years as a 'crying mess' during a Q&A.

> I was a mess. I was just like a crying mess.
## Oscar Trauma
Jenkins sought therapy after the Oscar envelope mix-up to process the emotional impact.

> I didn’t even realize it was traumatic until I had to go to a little bit of therapy.
## Career Progression
Jenkins has directed If Beale Street Could Talk, The Underground Railroad, and Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King.
## New Projects
Jenkins is developing Be My Baby with Zendaya and a biopic about choreographer Alvin Ailey.
## Personal Life
Jenkins is married to filmmaker Lulu Wang and has a 15-month-old son.
## Moonlight's Legacy
Moonlight remains a pivotal moment in Oscar history and a significant artistic achievement.
## Oscar Win Impact
The win was a 'delightful surprise' for Jenkins, who credits the film's emotional resonance.
## Personal Growth
Jenkins reflects on the 10-year journey since Moonlight's release, emphasizing personal and artistic growth.
## Oscar Vortex
Jenkins describes the award season as a 'vortex' that he navigated with pride despite the chaos.

> I’m really proud of that guy.
## 4K Release
A24 will release a 4K remastered version of Moonlight in theaters on October 2.
## Key takeaway

Jenkins credits Moonlight's creation to a deeply personal process that led to a significant Oscar moment.