Congratulations to the filmmakers selected for AFI’s Cinematography Intensive for Women (CIW) presented by Panavision! CIW is one of AFI’s tuition-free educational programs and is designed to provide emerging and aspiring cinematographers with additional training to help them advance in their education, craft and career. The curriculum is modeled after the AFI Conservatory MFA program and features hands-on master classes in the fundamentals of cinematography, along with discussions about the film industry and what it means to navigate such environments as women, nonbinary and historically underrepresented cinematographers. Spearheaded by AFI Conservatory Cinematography Discipline Head Stephen Lighthill, ASC, the intensive starts tomorrow, July 27, and continues through July 30 and will take place on the AFI Campus in Los Angeles. Alexis Chinery, Setare Gholipour, J. Amy Limpinyakul, Katerina Olkhovaya, Shannon Palmer, Kai Philavanh, Stephanie Rose, Nichole Ruiz, Nicole Simmons, Hil Steadman, Faye Tsakas and Sarah Winters are among the artists selected for the 2024 edition.
“It is an honor to celebrate the fifth edition of the Cinematography Intensive for Women, and to continue to increase the presence of women cinematographers in the industry. We are grateful to all of AFI Staff and Faculty, and our partners at Panavision, for their unwavering dedication to ensure this program is a beacon of inspiration – and treasure trove of information – for young cinematographers,” said Lighthill. “We look forward to welcoming the new participants tomorrow on the AFI Campus and providing them with a unique and transformative learning experience.”
“Congratulations to all of this year’s participants,” said Panavision President and CEO Kim Snyder. “The AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women gathers such incredible talent and provides them with an invaluable opportunity to gain experience, further their filmmaking education, and expand their professional networks. We’re thrilled to return as the program’s presenting sponsor and to support these cinematographers at this exciting moment in their careers.”
Since its launch in 2018, CIW has featured prominent cinematographers as well as notable AFI Conservatory Faculty and Alumni as guest lecturers and teachers, including Emmy® nominee Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC (BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER); Emmy® nominee Ava Berkofsky (INSECURE); Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF (SHE SAID); AFI Conservatory Chair of Visual Storytelling Bill Dill, ASC (B.A.P.S., SOUL FOOD); Jih-E Peng (THE LIGHT AND THE LITTLE GIRL); Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC (THE WOMAN KING); Sandra Valde-Hansen, ASC (PLAN B, THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY); and more.
