AFC-related activities

Recap of IAGA 2024 in London
By Richard Andry, AFC

European federation of cinematographers

The Annual General Assembly of Imago (IAGA) – the International Federation of Cinematographers – was held in London from 14-15 February 2024, hosted by the BSC. Richard Andry, who represented the AFC alongside Jean-Marie Dreujou, Eric Guichard (Imago’s Controller) and Denis Lenoir (Board member), has written the following detailed and illustrated recap of this event.

The Origins of a Trophy
By Stéphan Massis, AFC

The AFC Awards

Room 1163, Bry-Sur-Marne Hospital: Pierre-William Glenn is holding a small bronze Caméflex in his hands. The image is both sad and beautiful… this moment was recounted to us by Gilles Porte the day after the first-ever AFC Awards ceremony. He went to visit Pierre-William on his sickbed to show him the trophy that would be awarded to the winner of the new AFC Awards, as he was a founding member of the association. This small object in Pierre-William’s tired hands is the embodiment of the association’s founders passing the reins over to us, who are committed to making the AFC both active and lively.

Interview with Grimm Vandekerckhove, winner of the 2024 Robby Müller Award

Conversations with cinematographers

The Rotterdam International Film Festival, in association with the NSC (Netherlands Society of Cinematographers) celebrates the memory of great cinematographer Robby Müller every year by awarding the prize that bears his name to an up-and-coming filmmaker. In past years, recipients of the award have included Diego Garcia (a Mexican cinematographer who worked with Darius Khondji, AFC, ASC, on the series “Too Old to Die Young” in 2020, and Hélène Louvart, AFC, in 2023. This year, it is the turn of Belgian cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove to be recognized. We discuss this award with him, and particularly his work with Belgian director Bas Devos for whom he has shot two films (Ghost Tropic in 2019 and Here in 2023). (FR)

Annoucing the winners of the first AFC Awards

The AFC Awards

During the Awards ceremony for the first-ever AFC Awards, recognizing excellence in cinematography, which took place on Wednesday 7 February 2024, as part of the 24th annual Micro Salon, the Awards winners were revealed by four personalities from the cinema.

Introducing the nominees for the AFC Awards

The AFC Awards

Introducing the cinematographers nominated in one of the four sections of the AFC Awards. As a reminder, the winners will be announced at the award ceremony on 8 February 2024 (during the AFC Micro Salon).

Prix AFC’s nominations announcement

The AFC Awards

The French Society of Cinematographers is proud to announce the nominees of the first Prix AFC’s edition. Tabulation of the nominees was overseen by a lawyer, Maître Bouvet, 354 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, on December 15th, 2023. The winners will be announced at the MICRO SALON AFC (Parc Floral de Paris) on February 7th, 2024. Thanks to all the cinematographers for their participation !

Opening of AFC Micro Salon 2024 registration

Micro Salon 2024

The AFC Micro Salon will be held for the 24rd time in the Hall de la Pinède du Parc Floral de Paris, on Wednesday, 7th February (10:00-20:30) and Thursday 8th February (10:00-18:00). Once again, this year’s Micro Salon will be combined with the AFC Postproduction Days. Registration is now open and we request that attendees if possible print their named admission badges before the event.

Pedro Luque, SCU, and director Juan Antonio Bayona look back on the stressful shooting of "The Society of the Snow"
"Alone in the world", by François Reumont for the AFC

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

In competition for the first time at Camerimage, Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and the Amazon series "Lord of the Rings") and his Uruguayan cinematographer Pedro Luque answered the audience’s questions after the screening of his new film, The Society of the Snow. (FR)

Marcel Zyskind, DFF, talks about his work on Viggo Mortensen’s "The Dead Don’t Hurt"
"The Little House in the Canyon", by François Reumont, for the AFC

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

For his second film as a director, actor Viggo Mortensen tells a love story hindered by the Civil War. He stars alongside Vicky Krieps, in an atmosphere that blends classic and modern Western elements. Enhanced by intertwining editing of different time lines, and stunning cinematography by Marcel Zyskind, DFF, the film was shot on locations across Mexico & Canada. It’s presented out of competition during a special screening at Camerimage. (FR)

Rémy Chevrin, AFC, looks back on the shooting of Christophe Honoré’s "Winter Boy"
"Mourning through Rose-Colored Glasses", by François Reumont

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

Christophe Honoré and Rémy Chevrin, AFC, are one of the most emblematic director/cinematographer couples in French "cinéma d’auteur". They have already shot nine films together and their faithful collaboration has been going strong since Seventeen Times Cécile Cassard, 24 years ago. Their next feature has already been wrapped and scheduled for release in spring 2024. Last year, they released Winter Boy, a film for which young actor Paul Kircher won the award for Best Actor at the San Sebastian Festival. A look back on the photographic challenges of this adolescent drama with the cinematographer who was selected out-of-competition at Camerimage 2023 in the Contemporary World Cinema section. (FR)

Salvatore Totino, ASC, AIC, talks about the shooting of the first six episodes of the series "The Offer"
The series you just couldn’t refuse, by François Reumont

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

Produced for the new Paramount+ platform launched in December 2022, the series "The Offer" is a recreation of a mythical moment in cinema history: the adaptation and production of Mario Puzo’s bestseller "The Godfather". The writer, the main character of the series – who is eventually promoted to co-writer-, is surrounded by an array of protagonists who make up the amazing success of the project. Top of the list, the incredible Matthew Goode, who plays Bob Evans, head of the Paramount studio. He seems to come straight out of the legendary documentary "The Kid Stays in the Picture", originally devoted to him.
For the first time in his long career, Italian-American cinematographer Salvatore Totino (Davinci Code, Everest...) was in charge of this series, and photographed the first six episodes. Three directors follow one another around him (Dexter Fletcher, Adam Arkin and Collin Bucksey). "The Offer" is competing for the Golden Frog for Best Series at Camerimage 2023. (FR)

Antonio Paladino looks back on his first experience with fiction film and shooting in black and white for James Marsh’s "Dance First"
By François Reumont for the AFC

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

Dance First is Antonio Paladino’s first venture into feature films. This Berlin-based cinematographer had been, until now, accustomed to shooting commercials. He was fortunate to have been chosen by British director James Marsh, Oscar winner in the Documentary category in 2009 for "Man on a Wire". The film, competing for Best First Cinematography, portrays the life of Samuel Beckett, the renowned Irish playwright who spent most of his life in France. The black and white biopic’s cast features Gabriel Byrne, Sandrine Bonnaire and the excellent Irish actor Aidan Gillen (Littlefinger in "Game of Thrones"). (FR)

Interview with cinematographer Ants Tammik about Anna Hints’s "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood"
"Blood, sweat and tears", by François Reumont

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood is a surprising film. Winner of several prizes at international festivals such as Sundance, filmmaker Anna Hints’ invitation to share the intimate confessions of Estonian women is a real success. Set in an extremely simple decor -traditional saunas heated by wood fires-, the documentary is a dance between of words, bodies, steam and light. Cinematographer Ants Tammik spent twenty days with the women of his country, in the heart of this magical place, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The humidity levels were close to 100%, with a temperature fluctuating between 60 and 80°. Welcome to the Smoke Sauna! (FR)

Interview with Constanza Sandoval, ADF, director of photography of "The Song of the Auricanturi", by Camila Rodríguez Triana
"Mother and Daughter", by François Reumont

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

Among the films selected in the "Directors’ Debuts Competition" category at Camerimage 2023, The Song of the Auricanturi (El canto del Auricanturi), by Colombian director Camila Rodriguez Triana, tells the story of a silent mother and her daughter. This contemporary artist, a graduate of the Fresnoy School (2019), directed her first feature film alongside argentinian cinematographer Constanza Sandoval, ADF. She talks to us about this film, whose directorial choices and screenplay are quite radical, inspired by the work of Alexander Sokourov and Bela Tarr... (FR)

Interview with cinematographer Curren Sheldon about Elaine McMillion Sheldon’s documentary "King Coal"
By François reumont for the AFC

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

American cinematographer Curren Sheldon brings to Camerimage his latest documentary film, "King Coal." Rooted in both reality and fable, this work presents the Appalachian region, exploring the economic and societal upheaval caused by the rise and fall of coal mines. Curren shares insights into how this project slowly developed and was crafted in collaboration with his wife, Elaine, who directed the film. (FR)

Interview of cinematographer Joshua Zucker-Pluda about "Screaming Suicide", music video of the band Metallica
"Blurred Hard Metal", by François Reumont

Conversations with cinematographers at Camerimage

The superstar Metal band Metallica asked director Tim Saccenti and American cinematographer Joshua Zucker Pluda to create a visually intricate yet classically structured music video, featuring various black and white blurs and textures. With slow-motion, image overlays, and sweeping flares, "Screaming Suicide" is competing for the Golden Frog for Best Music Video Cinematography at Camerimage 2023. (FR)