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 cinematographers from around the world through its 20 monthly articles which explore the individual stories and creative methods and cultural elements of cinematographers while showcasing their joint work to improve filmmaking as an artistic and technical practice. The idea is to create a collaborative space between member national associations and invite people to imago.org to know more about the work of IMAGO Committees and other news. 

The series presents individual cinematographers who share their life experiences through their work while demonstrating how their national backgrounds influence their filmmaking style and their common artistic approach. Nicola Daley BSC ACS demonstrates her documentary background through her documentary work in war zones and her acclaimed television series The Handmaid’s Tale by using minimal lighting and flexible camera techniques. The epic productions of Frida Wendel FSF combine Scandinavian natural light with emotional storytelling techniques to create raw beauty in her work on Ronja the Robber’s Daughter. 

Daniele Massaccesi AIC combines traditional filmmaking methods with modern techniques, in productions such as The Matrix Resurrections. He brings together his Italian heritage from a filmmaking family and creative use of technology, working with Ridley Scott and Lana Wachowski. 

Núria Roldós AEC says that visual storytelling requires both artistic direction and technical expertise, and describes her role as the director’s right-hand person instead of seeking to be the centre of attention because she believes teamwork enables the director to achieve their vision, like she did in The Return: Life After ISIS. 

Christophe Nuyens SBC uses his documentary experience to create immersive visual worlds in Lupin and Star Wars: Andor through his storytelling abilities and team-oriented approach. Evgenia Alexandrova AFC combines her instinctive nature with technical expertise to create projects such as The Secret Agent by incorporating personal and cultural elements. The DP serves as both artistic leader and director’s representative who uses teamwork to express the director’s creative vision to all production departments. 

Brazilian cinematographer Gustavo Hadba ABC uses his storytelling background to create powerful visual elements in Grande Sertão and other Brazilian films. His evolution from surf documentary work to cinematic experimentation demonstrates his willingness to experiment. Barnabas Emordi CSN works in Nollywood’s developing industry by uniting creative use of equipment with dynamic storytelling techniques which led to the record success of A Tribe Called Judah. 

Documentary cinematographers Yunus Emre Hamis FSC and Flóra Fecske HCA infuse their individual viewpoints into their unscripted storytelling work. Through his work on Nature in My Heart and local productions Hamis showcases the natural flow of life in Turkey. Fecske combines her mastery of technical aspects with her natural light passion to create European productions that depend on emotional authenticity. Miko Malkhasyan ACG and Ahmet Sesigurgil GYD work on dance films and Turkish productions at scale to achieve emotional authenticity through collaborative filmmaking methods. 

Uniting filmmakers 

The series demonstrates how traditional filmmaking methods interact with modern developments throughout its content. Paul Guilhaume AFC achieved his poetic realism and experimental filmmaking style through his work on Emilia Perez which demonstrated his mastery of vibrant visuals and deep storytelling. Ana Amortegui ADFC started as an engineer before developing cinematic timing skills which she describes as shot-by-shot choreography in her work on Black Lightning and other projects. 

Suzie Lavelle BSC ISC began her career with independent films, recognised for their stark, intimate visual styles. Her transition to mainstream television brought her to larger productions like Doctor Who and His Dark Materials, where she balances epic visuals with a sensitivity to emotional storytelling. Stephen Murphy BSC ISC, on the other hand, is known for his attention to lighting and especially shadow, which he uses to heighten drama and suspense. In The Tourist, this is evident in how he crafts intense emotional moments through careful manipulation of contrast and darkness, pulling viewers into the tension of the story. 

Swiss cinematographer Filip Zumbrunn SCS has a distinctive handheld approach that creates an intimate connection with characters, as seen in his work on Netflix period dramas. Serbian cinematographer Vladan Pavic SAS bridges past and present by combining traditional analog techniques with modern digital methods. In Constantine’s Crossing Pavic merges lush, painterly lighting with the precision required for digital effects 

Cecilie Semec FNF from Norway creates her work through instinctual naturalistic filmmaking which reaches its peak in her Dreams, Sex, Love trilogy. Narvydas Naujalis LAC from Lithuania uses minimalistic filmmaking techniques in his documentary-inspired work The Southern Chronicles to demonstrate how basic visual elements can create powerful storytelling. 

The series demonstrates that multiple participants share common creative sources. The participants identify Apocalypse Now, Blade Runner, Children of Men and No Country for Old Men as their reference points for outstanding cinematography. The visual storytelling methods of Terrence Malick and Emmanuel Lubezki ASC AMC and Sir Roger Deakins CBE ASC BSC have revolutionised how filmmakers present their narratives. The documentary Honeyland and experimental film Samsara serve as creative influences because they unite genuine storytelling with visual elegance to expand artistic boundaries. 

The interviews demonstrate that cinematographers worldwide share a common goal to create meaningful stories through their work while benefiting from cultural exchange. IMAGO continues to unite filmmakers worldwide through this initiative which demonstrates that cinematography goes beyond technical skills to express human emotions.  

The interviews were conducted and written by Alê Braga, IMAGO’s director of communications.