IMAGO update news

Traditionally the Societies of Imago, the International Federation of Cinematographers have been proud to display the Imago Logo on events with which they are associated. Imago represents the family of Cinematographers under an umbrella Federation which is fighting for recognition and respect for the role of the cinematographer throughout Europe and improvements in Authors Rights and working conditions everywhere.

The AFC Micro Salon always displays with pride the Imago Logo, the Norwegians organised the recent European Digital Conference in Oslo with pride as an Imago event as did the Danes with their "Inspiration" Master Classes last October in Copenhagen despite giving 30,000 euros to fund it.
The Australians were proud to display the Imago Logo for their 50th Anniversary.
It is therefore with some regret that Imago notes the decision of one of our founding members, the BSC, to remove their Logo from their Film and Digital Image Evaluation brochures. These comprehensive Seminars have taken place recently in the UK in London and Bristol and will be presented at the eDIT Festival in Frankfurt on October 5th and later probably worldwide.
Nationalistic thoughts should to be balanced by a more generous understanding that Imago belongs to all our Societies. Whether we like it or not we are all dependent upon one another. Imago needs all the recognition and assistance it can get. It has virtually no income. It is organised voluntarily. Imago belongs to us, fighting to improve many aspects of standards and the working life of the Cinematographer and our crews.


Don't reject the Imago Logo. Display it with pride It cannot be expected that Brussels beaurocracy will recognise Imago if its own member Society do not give it their support. However as one opportunity closes, it seems another opens.

The rejection of the submission by Imago for an International Conference to be held in Copenhagen in October 2010 on a technicality was a disappointment. The substance of the submission has not been questioned and the EU rejection came with their hope that we would resubmit our proposal for a World Conference. As your President I have been heartened by the many messages of encouragement received personally to keep fighting to make beaurocracy work for us and for the ultimate justice of our cause. Time is running out but [there will almost certainly be another EU Proposal for Imago to present next year. With this experience behind us I am confident we will succeed for 2011. The Presidents and Societies of Denmark, Ukraine and Australia have to be thanked for their assistance and encouragement in presenting the Proposal.

The window, which has opened, comes courtesy of the Spanish AEC who has announced a Conference on Authors Rights is to be held in Seville on 5th November to November 8th. Following the memorable Authors Rights Conference of 2005 in Huelva this Spanish initiative represents an opportunity for cinematographers to meet and evaluate the present situation of European Authors Rights issues, discuss strategy for a Camerimage debate which is being organised by the BvK in late November and, importantly for Imago, gather information to present to the EUXXL Conference in Austria next March, the results of which will be monitored by Brussels.

The Manaki Festival has decided to Honour Peter Suschitzky ASC with their Lifetime Achievement Award for 2009. Peter is well known for his collaboration with the Canadian Director David Cronenberg as well as being part of a family trilogy with his father Wolfgang Suschitzky BSC (Get Carter) and his son, the talented cinematographer Adam Suschitzky.


Imago is honouring the 30th Anniversary of the Manaki Film Festival, the oldest Festival in the World dedicated to the Art of Cinematography by organizing a Master Class between Billy Williams OBE BSC (Ghandi, On Golden Pond, Women in Love) and Seamus McGarvey BSC ASC (Atonement The War Zone) in Bitola, Macedonia, on October Ist. The Manaki Festival was the favourite Festival of the late Freddie Francis BSC. What greater accolade! A discussion between Billy Williams, at the youth of his eighties and Seamus McGarvey, a BSC, ASC baby at 32 years of age should prove one of the highlights of the Festival.

The eDIT Festival begins on October 4th in Frankfurt when Imago plan to hold a Board Meeting to which Aleksander Shiganov, the President of the Ukrainian Society has been invited to attend to strengthen Imago's effective representation in Eastern Europe. Imago has collaborated with eDIT, as it did so effectively last year by contributing events for the Festival.

The AFC and Imago will honour Ricardo Aronovitch AFC with the Imago Honour. This was awarded for the first time last year was to Guiseppe Rotunno AIC cinematographer to Fellini and many other great Italian Directors. The AFC will present a demonstration of "Day for Night" and the BSC will present the findings of its Film and Digital Evaluation. Aardman animation will also be demonstrating the secrets of its magic.

The World's first all Female Master Class has been re-arranged by the Imago Master Class Committee to take place in Oslo in mid-November. This will follow the Conference on European Authors Rights in Seville, which starts on November 5th. There each member Society will be invited to bring two delegates with the internal costs in Spain being met by the AEC and the Seville Festival Authorities.

The EUXXL Festival in Austria in March 2010 will be dedicated to Cinematographers and issues, which affect their working lives. This may well prove to be the most important Conference to date involving Cinematographers and Imago. The recommendations are forwarded through the EU representatives who report directly back to the EU. Imago in conjunction with the AAC will be organizing a Series of Master Classes for Austrian Film Students.

The Annual General Meeting of Imago will be scheduled for Mid-April 2010 after further discussions with Cincecitta Management who have generously offered their facilities in Rome. The Korean Society of Cinematographers has been invited to join Imago.

Nigel Walters President of IMAGO