Stephen Lighthill, ASC
Discipline Head, Cinematography
Sandra Valde-Hansen, ASC, LPS
2nd Year Visual Essay Director &
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Sara Ross-Samko
Visual Essay Co-Director &
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Jacek Laskus, ASC, PSC
1st Year Visual Essay
& Senior Affiliated Faculty
Bella Efstratis
Senior Academic Coordinator of
Cinematography
Valentina Martinico, AIC
Faculty Lead, Cinematography
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Michael M. Pessah, ASC
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Rose Fadem-Johnston
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Hana Kitasei
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Denise Brassard
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Sage Scroope
Associate Dean, Production
Andrew Reyes
Visual Essay Production Manager
Narineh Hacopian
Visual Essay Production Manager
Ariana Sigel
Visual Essay Production Manager
Shawn Mowlai
Visual Essay Production Manager
Greg Urich
Supervisor, Production Safety
and Compliance
The AFI Conservatory Cinematography Spotlight celebrates three-minute shorts created by the 2025-26 Cinematography graduates, all shot on motion picture film. The 35mm Visual Essay challenges Fellows to create a narrative through images and without dialogue. These productions feature the participation of Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting Fellows, with Cinematography Fellows serving as lead producers.
Stephen Lighthill, ASC
Discipline Head, Cinematography
