The American Film Institute (AFI) is now accepting applications for its second annual Cinematography Intensive for Women. The tuition-free program will take place June 28-July 1, 2019 at the AFI campus in Los Angeles and focus on “the fundamentals of visual storytelling.” Applicants should have previous cinematography experience and “demonstrate a passion for visual storytelling, collaboration, and critique, and are able to fully commit to a rigorous four-day program.”
According to research from Dr. Stacy L. Smith, women represented just three percent of cinematographers on the top live-actions films from 2016-18. The Intensive’s aim is to boost those number of women working as DPs. The program will include instruction from AFI faculty and special guests, production workshops, group discussions, screening the work of trailblazing female cinematographers, and more.
“The AFI Conservatory is thrilled to once again invite female cinematographers to campus to continue exploring their field through this initiative,” said AFI Conservatory Cinematography Discipline Head Stephen Lighthill. “With this program we hope to give more diverse DPs greater opportunity, and to offset the gender parity within our industry.”
AFI’s other gender equality programs include the AFI Directing Workshop for Women and the Young Women in Film Intensive. The org recently received a $350k grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and will use the funds for a sweeping study of gender parity throughout American film history.
Applications for the Cinematography Intensive for Women are due May 23. Applicants will be notified June 11. For more information or to apply, go to AFI’s website.