IN THE PICTURE Festival director Marek Żydowicz reveals why this year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE will provide not only a celebration of the art of cinematography, but also a forum for reflection on the role of cinema in today’s world – a space where…
CAPTIVE CURIOSITY Robbie Ryan BSC ISC reveals how he created tension—largely within the confines of a basement setting—and the VistaVision adventure he enjoyed, working with rare cameras to craft one of Yorgos Lanthimos’ most technically ambitious films. Spanning The Favourite,…
MEMORY IN MOTION From shooting in Nigeria to walking the red carpet at the Cannes premiere, Jermaine Edwards’ cinematographic journey with My Father’s Shadow—his first feature—saw him explore capturing the feeling of childhood memory on 16mm celluloid. A child’s-eye view…
A TERRIFYING TENANT The Man in My Basement sees down-on-his-luck Charles become even more unlucky when a strange man takes residence in his cellar. Using lights and, more importantly, the absence of them, Ula Pontikos BSC worked with director Nadia…
TAKING THE PLUNGE Cinematographer Steven Breckon reflects on lensing Charlie Polinger’s debut feature The Plague; part body horror, part coming-of-age psychological thriller. From the raw realities of adolescence through to powerful underwater scenes, the team captured a unique tale of…
ONE BATTLE, ONE VISION To craft Paul Thomas Anderson’s road movie with a difference, Michael Bauman set off on a multi-city shoot to capture the director’s wild and wonderful story of epic proportions almost entirely on VistaVision, taking the format…
LONDON CALLING With big-name stars descending on Southbank for the London Film Festival, the BFI event is establishing itself as a major autumn pit stop in the awards season rush. Boasting over 200 titles from across the world, as well…
GLOBAL LENS ON CINEMATOGRAPHY IMAGO’s interview series spotlights global cinematographers, revealing how personal histories and cultural roots shape visual storytelling in a shared pursuit of artistic, emotional filmmaking excellence. IMAGO, the International Federation of Cinematographers, supports its mission to unite…
From commercials to IMAX epics, first assistant Ethan McDonald brings precision, trust and craft to every frame — earning the confidence of cinema’s top storytellers. Selected filmography: Sinners: 2025; first assistant camera A camera The Last Showgirl: 2024; first assistant…
MASTERING FILM WITH GIANTS From clapper boy to Oscar-winning cinematographer, Jack Hildyard BSC shaped British cinema, working with legends like Laurence Olivier and creating classics such as The Bridge on the River Kwai. 1908 – 1990 Founding member President 1965 –…
A week at the Sundance Institute meant film camp for grown-ups — working with Robert Redford, Sally Field and future greats like James Mangold and Paul Thomas Anderson. One of the greatest honours of my career was to be invited…
FRAME OF MIND Filmography so far (project title, director, year released) Feature: Teleport (original title: Coyote) – Dustin Curtis Murphy, 2023 Selected Shorts: Imprint – Louis Akihito & Jordan Neill I Am the Prize – Sai Kalwan Tawar, 2024 The…
GREEN SHOOTS Sustainability in film and TV production is no longer optional but essential—and technology, planning and mindset shifts are the keys to making it work without compromising creativity. Going green has become the mantra in recent decades—an essential talking…
Film festivals, from Sundance to Camerimage, preserve cinema’s diversity, spotlight emerging voices and celebrate cinematography’s power to transform ordinary moments into profound, unforgettable images. Leitmotif /ˈlʌɪtməʊˌtiːf/ noun “There are two leitmotifs in his score marking the heroine and her Fairy…
AI, robotic cameras and digital shifts are redefining filmmaking. It’s time to explore whether all crews will adapt, survive or be sidelined in this bold new era of the media industry. This year’s Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS) featured…
TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS Recognised as one of the premier picture post-production companies in the world, The Look has already supported a wide range of high-profile projects – from experimental thrillers like Ballad of a Small Player to buzzy Prime…
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing ignites late-’90s Big Apple grit, with Austin Butler leading and cinematography from Matthew Libatique ASC LPS fuelling the chaos in this fast-paced crime thriller. Charlie Huston’s cult noir novel Caught Stealing gets the big screen…
RETURNING TO OZ Last year’s Wicked defied not only gravity but expectations, nominated for 10 Academy Awards and banking $750 million at the global box office, becoming the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time. Alice Brooks ASC explains…
THE LION’S DEN Family drama Father Mother Sister Brother claims the Golden Lion at Venice, beating the bookies’ favourite, a film that left critics in tears. The 82nd Venice Film Festival had many talking points, but the most wildly debated was surely…
Meet the organisations taking important steps towards a more sustainable film and television industry. Get Set Hire At Get Set Hire we have everything you could possibly need for your TV or film production: from Motorola radios to director’s chairs, from costume…
From epic blockbusters to intimate dramas, the leading post houses and labs power 2025’s most anticipated screen stories. Cinelab Film & Digital has recently supported a number of major productions with both film and digital services. The company provided digital…
PORTRAIT OF A FRACTURED MIND Reuniting with Lynne Ramsay, Seamus McGarvey ASC BSC ISC pushed visual boundaries when framing a tortured soul; finding the heartbreaking beauty along the way as the mental state of Die My Love’s central character gradually…
BRINGING A CLASSIC TO LIFE Very few stories are as well-known as Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror Frankenstein, but if any filmmaker can add a fresh twist to the tale, it’s Guillermo del Toro. Longtime collaborator Dan Laustsen ASC DFF explains…
BRILLIANCE IN THE BALKANS Bitola’s Manaki Brothers Film Festival dazzled with masterclasses, awards and global guests, celebrating cinematography’s artistry under new direction — a vibrant tribute to filmmaking’s enduring soul. For each visit to the ”Manaki Brothers” Film Festival, I…
PULLING UP TREES Following a logger in 1900s Washington, US, Train Dreams uses a grand canvas to tell a personal story – Adolpho Veloso ABC AIP explains how he and writer-director Clint Bentley crafted a period piece that feels relatable…
FEELING A MOMENT Timely tale A House of Dynamite is lensed in an authentic, intimate and honest way by Barry Ackroyd BSC, capturing the increasing threat and tension as the story is revealed from multiple perspectives. Viewing filmmaking as an…
TAKING A PUNT Fresh off basketball drama Rez Ball, Kira Kelly ASC instantly turned her attention to another sport in Him. Yet, blending American football with surrealist horror, this shoot proved a very different experience for the filmmaker… “Unless a…
HIGH STAKES Making Ballad of a Small Player meant striking a careful balance between atmosphere and restraint. Cinematographer James Friend ASC BSC reflects on the contrasting challenges of filming in Macau’s tightly controlled casinos and on the open waters of Lamma Bay. …
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