David Lynch
Film director · 11 films (1977–2006) · also 2 films as cinematographer
David Lynch is a director whose work here spans Eraserhead (1977) to Inland Empire (2006), across drama and mystery. 3 of those films were photographed by Frederick Elmes. The work runs close — 36% of frames across the 11 films indexed here, against 21% library-wide. All 649 frames from 11 films are indexed here, searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, colour and mood.
David Keith Lynch was an American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor. Lynch received critical acclaim for his films, which are often distinguished by their surrealist, dreamlike qualities.
Born 20 January 1946 · Missoula, Montana, USA · died 16 January 2025
Directing style
Lynch anchors his tense, ominous mystery and drama narratives in dark, interior night scenes, staging eighty percent of his shots at a direct eye-level perspective. He favors a narrow depth of field, utilizing closeups and medium shots lit primarily by practical fixtures, windows, or fluorescent sources. Visually, his films lean into cool, desaturated tones and stark black-and-white photography, structured around a heavy, shadow-dominant palette of deep blacks, charcoal grays, and bruised dark reds.
Awards
- Cannes Best Director Award · 2001
- Palme d'Or · 1990
- Golden Lion · 2006
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement · 2006
- César Award · 1982
- César Award for Best Foreign Film · 1982
- Officer of the Legion of Honour · 2007
- Knight of the Legion of Honour · 2002
- Sitges Grand Honorary Award · 2020
- Academy Honorary Award · 2020
- European Film Award for Best Non-European Film · 1999
- Saturn Awards · 1993
Films directed by David Lynch
About David Lynch
When was David Lynch born?
David Lynch was born on 20 January 1946 in Missoula, Montana, USA and died on 16 January 2025.
What films has David Lynch directed?
FrameThrower holds stills from 11 of them: Eraserhead (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), Dune (1984), Blue Velvet (1986), Wild At Heart (1990), Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992), Lost Highway (1997) and The Straight Story (1999) and more.
What awards has David Lynch won?
Cannes Best Director Award (2001), Palme d'Or (1990), Golden Lion (2006) and Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement (2006).
Search every frame of David Lynch’s films
All 649 indexed frames from 11 films directed by David Lynch — searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, mood or plain language.