This month, we are delighted to spotlight Eleonora Contessi, an Italian cinematographer whose work captures the delicate intersection of intimacy and visual poetry. Originally from Rome, Eleonora’s artistic journey began with a passion for still photography before she transitioned to moving images. After graduating from the prestigious Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in 2019, she quickly established herself as a compelling new voice in contemporary Italian cinema. Eleonora’s technical sensitivity was evident early on in Olga Torrico’s Gas Station. Shot on 35mm, the film’s visual language earned her the award for Best Technical Contribution at the Venice Critics’ Week in 2020. Her journey continued at the 79th Venice Film Festival with the striking Tria – Del sentimento del tradire, and more recently with Chello n’cuollo, which was nominated for the Nastri d’Argento 2024. Eleonora is a co-creator of Eki Magazine, a printed publication dedicated to the study of light, and is an active member of Chiaroscuro. These initiatives reflect her deep commitment to visual culture and the collaborative evolution of the industry. We look forward to seeing the future projects she brings to life! #cinematographer #eleonoracontessi #cinematography #angenieuxlenses
Angenieux
Movies and Sound Recording
The Art of Optics... Angenieux, a Thalesgroup brand, is the famous brand for cinema optics. #Angenieux
About us
Angénieux est la marque du groupe Thales mondialement reconnue de systèmes optiques et optroniques de précision. Les zooms Angénieux sont appréciés partout dans le monde par les professionnels de l’image les plus exigeants que ce soit pour le tournage de long-métrages, de séries télévisées, de publicités, de clip vidéos ou de documentaires.. Fidèle à l’esprit de Pierre Angénieux fondateur de la société, les équipes Angénieux continuent à apporter des solutions à l’avant-garde de l’innovation technologique pour répondre aux besoins actuels et futurs de ses clients et utilisateurs (sociétés de location d’équipement cinématographique, sociétés de production ou directeurs de la photographie). Cet engagement permanent pour l’innovation est régulièrement reconnu internationalement par de nombreuses récompenses émanant d’institutions prestigieuses : en 1964/1989 et 2008 à Hollywood par l’Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, en 2005 par l’Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, en 2012 par la Society of Camera Operators, en 2014 par la British Society of Cinematographers. En décembre 2012, Angénieux reçoit le Label Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, marque de reconnaissance de l’Etat français destinée aux entreprises françaises aux savoir-faire d’excellence. Sur le site de Saint-Héand, sont aussi développés des systèmes de vision nocturne et autres systèmes optiques pour des applications aéronautiques, spatiales et de sécurité.
- Website
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https://www.angenieux.com/
External link for Angenieux
- Industry
- Movies and Sound Recording
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Founded
- 1935
- Specialties
- Zoom lenses for Motion Picture, Zoom lenses for Broadcast, Zoom lenses for Security, Night vision goggles, zooms cinéma, optiques cinéma, cinema optics, cinematography, cinematographer, directeur de la photographie, and director of photography
Updates
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In our latest interview, cinematographer Ziv Berkovich takes us behind the scenes of the Israeli-French drama "Tell Me Everything," directed by Moshe Rosenthal. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Israel, Ziv’s journey into cinema began in a small video rental shop, where watching dubbed Russian films sparked a lifelong obsession with visual storytelling. For this project, Ziv faced the challenge of visually separating two distinct eras, the 80s and 90s, while filming entirely in Israel on a tight 18-day schedule. To achieve an image that felt like a "shared emotional memory," Ziv paired the Sony Venice with the Angénieux Optimo Prime Series to maintain a sense of intimacy and texture. For Ziv, the choice of equipment is deeply personal: “for me, the camera and lenses are not just technical choices , they’re my hands, and they have a major influence on the look and feel of the film. Choosing the Optimo Prime Series felt essential to the way I wanted to tell the story” From using the Sony Venice's Rialto mode for intimate, confined spaces to pushing the camera’s native ISO to achieve a visible, textured grain, discover how Ziv crafted a visual language that feels like a shared emotional memory. 👉 Read our full interview with Ziv Berkovich here: https://lnkd.in/dJfE64vV Director - Moshe rosenthal Focus puller - Magda Symonowicz Gaffer - Nachson Kaplan Production designer - Ido dolev
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This month, we’re spotlighting “The Hunt”, the intense Apple TV+ thriller that explores the psychological toll of a relentless manhunt. The series offers a visceral exploration of paranoia, capturing the striking contrast between vast, open landscapes and the suffocating tension of being watched. Cinematographer Rémy Chevrin crafted the show’s distinctive look using the Angénieux Optimo Prime Series. This choice enhances both the scale of the environments and the intimacy of the characters, reinforcing the series’ constant sense of unease. “The Hunt” is now releasing weekly on Apple TV+.
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In our latest interview, Xinjiang-born cinematographer Chai Ran takes us behind the scenes of the hit Chinese crime drama series, "The Narcotic Operation" Directed by Wu Bai, this gripping anti-drug thriller plunges viewers into the turbulent atmosphere of 1990’s, where narcotics police and drug cartels clash in a world of moral ambiguity and raw tension. To capture this era's unique energy, Chai Ran built his entire visual language around two pillars: "Conflict" and "Instability", and turned to the Angénieux EZ Series (EZ1, EZ2 & EZ3) as his primary lens kit. For Chai Ran, the choice was both creative and technical: "Given the dual requirements of lightweight design and large aperture, the Angenieux EZ series emerged as the sole viable option. It proved to be a reliable partner throughout the production process." From his signature "monochromatic per scene" color approach, to handheld zoom-ins that pulse with narrative tension, discover how Chai Ran used the EZ Series to bring his vision of "1990s pictorialism" to life. 👉 Read our full interview with Chai Ran via the link in bio!
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For the National Theatre Bucharest’s production of Secundar, DP Boroka Biro faced a unique challenge: capturing the intimate daily lives of characters to be integrated into a live stage design. The project, directed by Alexandra Badea, became a playground for testing the organic limits of the Optimo Primes. Swipe through for Boroka’s insights on the look, the feel, and the filmic character of the Optimo Primes
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This month, we’re spotlighting Season 4 of “The Lincoln Lawyer”, the gripping legal drama led by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. This new season continues to explore the nuances of justice in Los Angeles, balancing the intimacy of the iconic Lincoln SUV with the high-stakes tension of the courtroom. Cinematographer Abraham Martinez returned to the Optimo Prime series, a staple of the show’s look from previous seasons. To evolve the aesthetic for this new chapter, he utilized the IOP (Integrated Optical Palette) technology to infuse the image with more warmth and a distinct character. Martinez paired the Optimo Primes with the Optimo Ultra 12x (36-435mm) and the Optimo Ultra Compact 37-102, which proved essential for the show's courtroom sequences. This versatile combination allowed the team to maintain a consistent, high-end texture while navigating the fast-paced environments of the series. The full interview with Abraham Martinez is available here : https://lnkd.in/eEp57gse Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix. Thanks to Jon Fauer and FD Times for the collaboration #TheLincolnLawyer #AngenieuxLenses #OptimoPrimes
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Gong Xi Fa Cai! We wish you a vibrant and prosperous Year of the Fire Horse. May this year be filled with bold new opportunities, creative breakthroughs, and successful projects. Thank you for your precious trust and support. May the energy of the Fire Horse bring you happiness and strength in all your endeavors! #gongxifacai #chinesenewyear #YearOfTheHorse #LunarNewYear
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Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! ❤️ To celebrate it, Kolkata-based cinematographer Modhura Palit (@modhura_palit) takes us behind the scenes of movie director Rahool Mukherjee latest romantic drama feature, "Mon, Maaney Na"(মন মানে না). In this movie, Gen-Z situationships collide with the magic, madness, and music of old-school romance- set against the pulse of Kolkata. To achieve this high-end gloss under the unpredictable pre-monsoon weather of the mountains, Modhura made the conscious choice to shoot entirely with the Angénieux Optimo Prime Series. For Modhura, the IOP (Integrated Optical Palette) system was the ultimate game-changer: “Being able to modify the optical path from within the lens gave me an extraordinary level of control over micro-contrast, halation, and highlight roll-off, something that front-of-lens filtration simply can’t replicate with the same precision.” From using Black Satin and Glimmerglass IOPs to fine-tuning skin tones and highlight halation, discover how Modhura pushed the boundaries of Bengali cinema aesthetics. 👉 Read our full interview with 2019 Pierre Angénieux Special Encouragement Tribute recipient Modhura Palit here: https://lnkd.in/eVuEB5Mh #MonMaaneyNa #Angenieux #OptimoPrimes #Cinematography
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We are looking forward to meeting you at the BSC Expo 2026. Please join us on our booth to explore our latest optical innovations such as the Angénieux oval iris for the Optimo Prime Series and get hands-on the Optimo Ultra 12x 65. Our team will be happy to welcome you and discuss the upcoming projects. See you there! 🙌🏼 📍 Battersea Evolution, London 🗓 February 12th to 14th #Angenieux #BSCExpo
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This month, we are delighted to spotlight Anna Mendes, a talented Brazilian cinematographer based in Los Angeles, whose work beautifully explores the emotional core of storytelling. Anna’s impressive body of work spans from advertising campaigns for major global brands to compelling narrative films. Her short film "They Come From the Sky" gained significant acclaim, screening at the American Cinematheque’s PROOF Film Festival. In 2023, Anna was selected from over 1,500 applicants for Color Creative’s "Find Your People" program, where she photographed the short film "Just One," executive produced by Issa Rae. Currently a fellow at the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI), Anna is refining her craft with her latest major project: "Little Birds". An AFI thesis film, it chronicles the coming-out-of-age story of two girls who believe they can fly. We look forward to seeing the future projects Anna brings to life as she continues to make her mark on the industry! photo credit: radiant artists
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