Cinematography Faculty
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
Andrew Reyes
Visual Essay Production Manager
Valentina Martinico, AIC
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Faculty Lead, Cinematography
Jacek Laskus, ASC, PSC
Senior Affiliated Faculty &
1st Year Visual Essay Faculty
Michael M. Pessah, ASC
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Rose Fadem-Johnston
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Hana Kitasei
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Denise Brassard
Senior Affiliated Faculty
Rob Kraestch
Senior Affiliated Faculty
The AFI Conservatory Cinematography Spotlight celebrates three-minute shorts from the 2025 Cinematography graduates, all shot on motion picture film. The 35mm Visual Essay challenges Fellows to create a narrative through images, and without dialogue. The 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
