A panel by Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin in collaboration with Cinematographinnen
Who shapes the way we see a story?
Cinematography is much more than creating beautiful images. The position of the camera, the way characters are framed, the use of light and movement, and the perspective from which we experience a scene all influence how a story is told. The people behind the camera therefore play a vital role in shaping the visual language of cinema.
In this panel, Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin joins forces with Cinematographinnen, the professional network for women in cinematography, to bring together three cinematographers actively working in the film industry. Drawing from their own careers and projects, they will share their experiences of developing a visual voice, collaborating on set and finding their way in an industry where women are still underrepresented behind the camera.
The conversation will explore the importance of different perspectives in cinematography and what a female perspective can bring to visual storytelling. How does the person behind the lens influence the way we see characters, bodies and relationships? Is there such a thing as a female gaze? And how can greater diversity behind the camera expand the stories and images we see on screen?
The speakers will also discuss the realities of building a career in cinematography: getting started, finding opportunities and creative collaborators, establishing yourself on set, navigating challenges within the industry, and developing your own visual identity. Along the way, they will share personal experiences, memorable projects and lessons learned throughout their careers.
The event consists of a 45-minute moderated panel discussion, followed by 10-15 minutes of audience Q&A, giving emerging filmmakers, film professionals and anyone interested in visual storytelling the opportunity to join the conversation.
Friday, 9 October · 6:00-7:00 PM
The Social Hub Berlin Mitte
Presented by Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin × Cinematographinnen
TICKETS (limited capacity):
Panelists:
Jane Ebel
Janne Ebel works as a cinematographer/Director of Photography across both fiction and documentary, dividing her time between Berlin and New York. Her cinematography credits include the feature film A Visual Feminist Manifesto, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and received the Youth Film Award, as well as A Rotten Woman, which was nominated for Best Narrative Short at SXSW.
Her latest feature film, Wer weiß schon, was ein Leben ist?, about painter Paula Modersohn-Becker, is currently screening in cinemas across Germany.
Ayşe Alacakaptan
Ayşe Alacakaptan is a Berlin- and Istanbul-based cinematographer/Director of Photography working across both fiction and documentary film. After studying film at Istanbul Bilgi University and at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, she went on to study cinematography at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB).
Her cinematography on works such as the feature film Athlete has earned her several awards for Best Cinematography, including at the Istanbul Film Festival and the Ankara International Film Festival. Her recent documentary work includes Die Möllner Briefe, which premiered at the 75th Berlinale and received both the Panorama Audience Award and the Amnesty International Film Award.
Mahdiye Agahi
Mahdiyeh Agahi, born in Iran and based in Berlin, is a cinematographer working across fiction and documentary projects. She completed her BA in Tehran and holds a Master’s degree in Cinematography from Film University Babelsberg. During her studies and throughout her career, she has worked as a cinematographer on various films in both Iran and Germany.
Her films have screened at festivals including the Berlin Short Film Festival, Black Bear Film Festival, Filmfest Düsseldorf, Tehran International Film Festival, and Fantasia Film Festival. Her visual style is characterised by emotional storytelling and a distinctive use of light, rhythm, colour, and poetic imagery.
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