He gained prominence through his feature directorial debut Bunny Chow (2006), which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Barker wrote, directed and produced South Africa's first music mockumentary Blu Cheez.

Barker then wrote, produced and directed Bunny Chow, which employed a retro scripting technique with the actors improvising their dialogue to communicate the outlined script written by Barker, David Kibuuka, Kagiso Lediga, Joey Rasdien and editor Saki Bergh.

[5] Barker next directed Spud 3: Learning to Fly with Troye Sivan, John Cleese and Caspar Lee.

Barker later completed The Umbrella Men, selected to screen at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.