The American Film Institute has announced a call for applicants for the 2022 Cinematography Intensive for Women presented by Panavision. Returning after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the four-day program will be held on the AFI Campus in Los Angeles on Friday, July 15 through Monday, July 18. Designed for aspiring cinematographers, the goal of the program is to provide participants with a toolkit to secure on-set experience in the field and first-hand industry insights demonstrating the path to professional career success.
The Intensive is spearheaded by AFI Conservatory cinematography discipline head Stephen Lighthill, ASC. The AFI Conservatory Cinematography program has propelled women cinematographers to great success, including trailblazer Rachel Morrison (Mudbound, Black Panther), the first woman ever nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, as well as two-time Grammy Award winner Melina Matsoukas (Beyoncé’s Formation, Insecure, as director), Paula Huidobro (Academy Autumn Durald (Loki, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC (Legion) and Mimi Leder (The Morning Show, as director), among others.
“With the Cinematography Intensive for Women, our goal is to provide pathways to equity within the field and inspire participants to pursue professional opportunities,” said Lighthill. “AFI looks forward to hosting this transformative workshop for cinematographers to further develop their creative passion for visual storytelling as well as inclusive leadership in the filmmaking environment.”
The hands-on master classes in the fundamentals of cinematography will constitute the core of the program, along with discussions about the current environment of the film industry and what it means to navigate such environments as women, nonbinary, and historically underrepresented cinematographers.
The Cinematography Intensive for Women is presented by Panavasion, with additional support from The Walt Disney Studios.
“Panavision shares AFI’s commitment to championing equity and diversity and fostering a truly inclusive industry,” said Panavision president and CEO Kim Snyder. “This is our second time sponsoring the Cinematography Intensive for Women, and we’re so excited to be back. We look forward to celebrating and supporting all of the cinematographers who participate in the initiative.”
Submissions open May 20, and the deadline to apply is June 5. Application information and requirements can be found here. Applicants will be notified of status in early June.