INVITATION TO IAGA 2021

Saturday, June 12 at 17:00 CEST (Brussels time) via Zoom.

(Zoom link will be sent via email.)

Find the start time in your city via timeanddate.com.

Table of Contents

• Agenda
• Statutes changes — Proposals

• Proposal 1
• Proposal 2
• Proposal 3

• Nomination – President / Chair 2021-2024
• Nomination – Board member 2021-2024
• IAGA 2021 – Documents
• Election period
• Legal Basis for IAGA 2021 by Electronic Vote/Participation

Statutes changes — Proposals

The following statutes are proposed to change for the better functioning of IMAGO as an International body.

Nomination – President / Chair 2021-2024

1. Nigel Walters BSC

Statement:

I would be grateful for the opportunity to rebuild the wall of friendship and co-operation among all Societies- the same spirit of Imago from which I retired from the newly established Global Federation a few years ago. I have served as Vice-President of the BSC since then but have kept a close observation on the teething problems in IMAGO. The ITC statutory proposals are a sound basis for the future as is the principle of geographical representation. I believe also in strengthening the Committees and increasing the Imago Board. Transparency is the key to contented collaboration.

Nigel Walters BSC, ISC, ACS, GSC. GBCT, FRGS

2. Roger Simonsz BSC

Statement:

I am immensely honored even to have been nominated for this position. I have been IMAGO’s treasurer since January 2020 and in that time have worked with Paul René Roestad, Kees van Oostrum and Ron Johanson, all excellent people in their own right. From my ringside seat to events I have come to realise how fantastic an organisation like IMAGO could be, and how fragile it is to even the slightest criticism. As president I would like to promote an open Imago where everyone feels welcome and at home. We need to foster a true camaraderie of international cinematographers where every member of every society can feel proud to be both a member of their society AND Imago.

In spite of the internal difficulties, we have managed to move Imago forward with elan. Thanks to Alex Linden’s work we have a brand new working website to bring people together and I was proud to have been able to administer the Sony fund, which brought much needed relief to cinematographers in need across the globe. This work has led me into contact with virtually every society member and it reminded me how valuable to Imago our membership is.

As I wrote in a recent open letter to all: only a very small percentage of IMAGO participants can boast English as their first language. All communication is therefore done in a language that is second or third to most of us. We should always be aware that something might be expressed in a way that seems offensive but where no offence was meant. It is always better to try and understand what was said, not how it was said. Having worked in over 20 countries as a film maker and speaking four languages, I am very aware of this issue and will always endeavor to listen understand the content rather than the form.

As an avowed democrat I look forward to working with all the committees and help them ensure their rightful place as the beating heart of Imago. It is their work that makes Imago visible as it should be. The board and the president should give structure and means to their work so they can succeed.

I would also be interested in opening up our associate membership to societies who have supportive or parallel interests to cinematography whose knowledge we can benefit from and who can benefit from Imago. I’m thinking in particular of societies representing camera assistants, gaffers, grips but also TV lighting directors and stage lighting designers.

One thing I have come to realise is that we are not as big and important as we would like to be. There is nothing wrong with that, but we should be careful of overreaching ourselves and thus putting Imago into difficulties. I am therefore all in favour of special projects to be supported, as long as they also have the means to see them through. I would like to pursue our efforts for more European funding so that we have a stronger financial base from which to build.

IMAGO, luckily, still has a long road ahead of it. I would be very proud, as a working cinematographer, to help guide it for the next three years.

Roger Simonsz BSC

Nomination – Board member 2021-2024

1. Ron Johanson OAM ACS

Statement:

Dear IMAGO members,

I am honored to have the opportunity to put forward my nomination as a member of the IMAGO Board in 2021.

The ACS joined IMAGO in 2006 at the IAGA in Amsterdam under our then ACS President, Ted Rayment ACS, and it has been my great honor to have been the ACS delegate to IMAGO since 2007 and have served as both an IMAGO Board member and as Interim Chair.

I remain passionate about IMAGO and believe that in the right hands this great Federation of which we are all proud members will and can continue to grow and foster all those with a love of cinematography to step forward and be part of IMAGO.

We are an International Federation steeped in history and we must remain International and continue to reach out to all countries to encourage and guide them. We must put behind us those petty differences that do not serve us at all well, and only confuse and cause unwarranted division.

All those working on behalf of IMAGO must now have a single vision, that is to restore IMAGO to its rightful place as the leading Federation of its kind, and we must ensure that transparency, honesty and integrity are among our strongest values.

My love and respect for IMAGO runs very deep and I will, if elected continue to do my best to unite us all under the IMAGO banner based on friendship, trust and the Spirit of Imago.

Respectfully

Ron Johanson OAM ACS

2. Alex Linden FSF

Statement:

IMAGO is vital in helping cinematographers globally retain their control over their images, both artistically and technically.

My belief is we should aim to unite all working cinematographers through their national societies. To help grow the organization with the potential to influence Producers, Directors, Distributors, Manufacturers, and other parties of our artistic and technical needs. Continuity is important. We continuously have to be in the conversations.

Some topics IMAGO should focus on in the coming years. In most countries, working conditions need improvement, for us to continue having able-bodied crews and for the sake of our own well-being. IMAGO should also be a force against the dismantling of our Authors Rights where they still exist and improving where not. The Committees are working relentlessly on their commitments and should be given all the support they need. The Committees are the basis for IMAGO’s success.

Hopefully, I can help along the path.

Alex Linden, FSF

3. Teresa Medina AEC

Statement:

N/A

4. Tahvo Hirvonen FSC

Statement:

Tahvo Hirvonen FSC, born in March 1955.

I’ve been in love with cinematography since I was about 10. Later, I went to the Finnish Film School.

I’ve been a member of the Finnish society so long, that I’ve forgotten when I was invited. I enjoyed the information and education the society provided in the early years.

I was busy shooting fiction, documentaries and doing a bit of my own documentaries, accompanied with my dear wife, a film editor and co-artist.

I became active in our society only after 2000. I was chosen to the board in some year close to 2010. I was put to be the president some years after that (please note that I am writing this at the country house and my CV is unavailable at the moment). I finished my term in 2020.

My first encounter with IMAGO – apart from just knowing it exists – was in the second Oslo Digital Cinema Conference. It was love at the first meeting: discussing with peers, learning at last what was it all about digital cinematography, seeing some of the latest technical stuff and – first and foremost – making new friends, and as I can see now, some of them forever.

As president of our society, I organized a couple of international meetings: our Scando-Baltic meeting “Expression” in 2013 and IAGA 2017 with the first IMAGO Awards Gala.

I see IMAGO as an international fellowship of peers. The heart of IMAGO are the committees, and their actions are the blood pumping in IMAGO’s veins.

I am very sad about the current intriguing in IMAGO. We need to be together in this situation where the status of cinematographers is vulnerable as everything changes.

I am not striving to get to the board of IMAGO – I was nominated, without my knowledge. Anyway, I accept the nomination and promise nothing else than to do my best to get IMAGO back to be the fellowship of cinematographers, with fully functioning committees and a mutual understanding that although we might, and indeed have, differing opinions about how to do this and that, we can work together, respect each other and get stuff done for the benefit of cinematography and the plight of the cinematographers.

I have no doubt in my mind that there are far better persons than me to fill these posts. Where are they now and why?

Peace, Love and Understanding.

TH

5. Argyris Theos GSC

Statement:

Please read: Statement_Argyris_Theos_GSC-IAGA_2021.pdf

6. Mario Sablic HFS

Statement:

Dear colleagues,

For a start, I will briefly introduce myself. My name is Mario Sablić and I have been a Cinematographer for more than 30 years. I graduated Cinematography at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. In my career, I have made 15 television series, a dozen feature films, and hundreds of commercials and music videos.

At the beginning of my career, I worked as a camera assistant, later a Steadicam operator, and I passed all positions in the camera sector. For my cinematographic work, I have been awarded several times, among others with 4 awards Nikola Tanhofer, awarded by the Croatian Cinematographers Society.

For most of my professional career I was a freelancer, and the last three years I have begun my job as a professor at the Cinematography department of my alma mater, the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb.

I am the current president of the Croatian Cinematographers Society in the second term, and I intend to run for a third term, to complete the projects that we have begun in the past 8 years. During my presidency, the Croatian Cinematographers Society has grown into a respectable professional association that is part of all important commissions in the Croatian film industry. We are also preparing an extensive history book about Croatian cinematographers and completing three educational films that introduce the general public to the specifics of the profession of Director of Photography, First Camera Assistant, and Camera Operator. In my opinion education should be one of the goals of national society, as well as IMAGO.

Last year, we successfully defended the position of cinematographer as one of the authors of the film. The support of IMAGO and the number of cinematographers societies from around the world helped us in that matter, which is also one of the reasons why I decided to make myself available. Unity, solidarity and mutual respect should be the core of IMAGO’s strength.

My goal is to pay more attention to working conditions in small film industries, where the fact that projects are underbudgeted often leads to inhuman working conditions, long hours, unpaid overtime, and general disregard for basic professional foundations.

I would also like to draw attention to the trend of abolishing the position of director of photography as the author of the entire film, which is a process I witnessed, fortunately, prevented, in Croatia, and it is quite certain that there will be similar attempts in other, similarly conceived film industries, especially in the Balkans.

Preserving the dignity and advocating for the profession is one of the foundations around which the Croatian Cinematographers Society was built.

Best regards,

Mario Sablić, HFS

7. Lenoir Denis AFC

Statement:

Dear fellow cinematographers,

I am Denis Lenoir, AFC ASC ASK, founding member of the AFC. Still active today I’ve worked during my career in 34 different countries. One foot in each continent I live mostly in Los Angeles but spend also lot of time in Paris, where I am now, filming a feature film and prepping a series.

If elected to the Imago Board, I will work restlessly for three things:

• New Statutes. This time, before starting to actually write the draft of these future statutes, the statutes which will make Imago really international, we need to launch some important debate between all member societies as we need to know what the societies really want. This debate will determine the structure of our future Imago which itself will shape the way the statutes will be written.

• Transparency. So far, and this is not new, Imago is very opaque. I believe this needs to change. I want, for instance, at least two delegates of every member society to be systematically invited to be virtually present (in a silent position) at every Board Meetings like we do at the AFC and at the ASC.

• Communication. From the Board to the members, it exists but can certainly be improved, but also, the other way around, from members to the board (so the board is not in a bubble), between Imago committees and their national societies siblings, and hopefully one day directly between cinematographers.

Denis Lenoir AFC

8. Vincenzo Condorelli AIC

Statement:

I am delighted to read about the nomination and accept it with honour!

Since the very beginning of my career, I was inspired by Luciano Tovoli not only for his unmatchable artistic skills as a top-class cinematographer but also for his indefatigable drive of promoting the principles and the ethics which lay at the foundation of our profession, its integrity and dignity.

The creation of IMAGO responded precisely to the new challenges arising in a globalised world, which required a stronger and more organic collaboration among our national societies, especially considering the impact technological innovation began to have in the industry in which we work. As I am about to complete DI of a Netflix original feature and having shot extensively for OTT platforms in the past 3 years, I can say that I am presently witnessing another great technological switch reshaping the same foundations of our role in the filmmaking process.

This has brought me to the belief that the truly internationalist vocation that was very much needed in 1992 is needed even more nowadays, while building on IMAGO’s remarkable achievements over its nearly 30 years of activity. This must come with a special focus on the transmission of the fundamental heritage of the past to the newer generations of cinematographers, both in terms of technical know-how and cultural awareness and a meticulous monitoring of how unceasing technological changes affect the prerogatives of our profession.

I belong to a generation who learnt his craft on film and found itself working predominantly in a digital environment. I like to believe this gave me the opportunity to take the best of both worlds. This belief was one of the reason that led me back in 2011, under the guidance of the same Luciano Tovoli, to create Terre di Cinema – International Cinematographers Days; an annual summer workshop that has hosted more than 200 young filmmakers (directors and camera persons) from 45 different countries of the entire world, giving them the chance to meet, exchange their backgrounds and ultimately shoot more than 80 short films both on digital and on 35mm Kodak Motion Picture Film, some of which has been awarded in prominent international film festivals, such as 2020 Venice International Film Festival.

If elected, I will be honoured to commit myself to the further advancement of everything IMAGO has stood for and to give my humble contribution to keep strengthening its role and relevance in our industry worldwide.

Your sincerely,

Vincenzo Condorelli AIC

9. Mustapha Barat, ABC

Statement:

Mustapha Barat, ABC

Cinematographer

Born in Oran, Algeria in 1959

With a diverse cultural, life and family background, I have lived and worked mainly between Paris, New York and Rio de Janeiro though not exclusively.

As a result, I am fluent in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and Italian – which could be an asset in an international organization.

I started out as a camera trainee with Vittorio Storaro, AIC, ASC on the set of Bernardo Bertolucci’s “La Luna” shot in Italy and New York in 1978.

And later went on to work as 2nd A.C. with Ed Lachmann, ASC in New York, and through the years as 1st A.C. with many others DoP’s before shooting my first feature film in 1987, with a career that now spans 30 plus years, shooting fiction, documentaries and commercials, and music productions.

I am presently a member of ABC’s Executive Board and it’s director-treasurer, elected with the other members for a two year mandate through mid-2022.

I am also it’s designated delegate to IMAGO.

Aside from supervising the association’s financial matters, I have worked to modernize its structure by implementing a totally new interactive automated user-friendly platform for membership payments online.

My experience as an active participant in the association’s committees such as D&I and the Statute Reform, and ABC’s Annual Week and Cinematography Awards, could also be valuable as an Imago Board member.

In this regard, I see my candidacy as an opportunity to work first and foremost for IMAGO and all of it’s members, but also to make present Brazil and Latin America’s concerns and aspirations within IMAGO’s.

Sincerely

Mustapha

10. Steven Fierberg ASC

Statement:

I do accept my candidacy.

My background:

At the ASC:

Vice-President of the ASC

Chairman of the ASC Imago Committee.

Participated in facilitating the entrance of the ASC into Imago.

15-year member

Envisioned and worked to create the ASC Virtual Clubhouse.

Envisioned and worked to create the ASC Top 100 list of Influential Films

Member of membership, awards, MITC, Vision committees.

Mentor: At the Academy of Motion Pictures:

Member of the Screening Committee

Supporter of the Academy Museum, and plan to teach diverse and disadvantaged youth filmmaking workshops there.

Other Background:

Teach at Maine Media Workshops plus guest classes at AFI, NYU, UCLA.

I Mentor of students at UCLA and USC.

am currently working in Paris for the third time and have many friends in the industry here.

I have worked in London as well.

I taught ASC Master Classes in Beijing

My Goals for Imago’s Future:

1. Unite the world’s cinematographers into a closer community

2. Focus on ‘Fraternité’ above all.

3. Help transition the organization into a truly international, rather than solely European enterprise.

4. Much of this will come from better and more civil communication. A forum must be created.

5. I believe that Imago is a ‘federation of federations’ rather than a replacement or competition for existing national organizations.

6. I believe that all

MY CHARACTER:

Positivity.

I work hard and have a lot of ideas.

I deeply believe in non-judgement of others. ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ I believe we all want what is best for our society and the world, even if we have differences in opinion about how to do it.

I want to look to the future, not the past, and empower us all to collaborate in making things better.

Steven Fierberg, ASC

11. Roberto Schaefer ASC

Statement:

My name is Roberto Schaefer, and I am an active member of the ASC, AIC, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, BAFTA and the IMAGO Technical Committee. I have been in the motion picture business full time since 1982, living in Italy as a cinematographer and Steadicam Operator. In 1992 I moved to Hollywood where I continue to this day working as a cinematographer for motion pictures and television shows as well as tv commercials and the occasional documentary or music video.

I began my career in still photography and fine arts before moving into documentary filmmaking. I transitioned from there into narrative fiction while keeping my feet firmly in the documentary world.

My experiences have taken me all over the world working on documentary and fiction movies from the smallest 10-day independent film to the t largest blockbusters.

I am dedicated to teaching aspiring cinematographers in master classes and trying my best to be inclusive and help those from everywhere gain the knowledge and experiences needed to be a part of the modern cinematographic world. With that I believe that IMAGO will benefit from being a worldwide Federation of verified cinematography societies.

Cinematographers from around the world encounter many of the same problems and issues and experiences and there is much to gained by embracing and sharing the knowledge and experiences that we all have.

The motion imaging world has changed so much in the last years and continues to do so at a fast pace so that sharing our realities with each other will only help enrich each of our individual Cinematography societies and I believe that IMAGO is the right organization to command the lead.

Thank you for considering me to be a member of the board.

Roberto Schaefer ASC

12. Richard van Oosterhout NSC

Statement:

Please read: Statement_Richard_Oosterhout_NSC-IAGA_2021.pdf

IAGA 2021 – Documents

The documents relating to IAGA 2021 can be downloaded in the members-only documents area.

https://imago.org/documents/

or found gathered at the link below. (Some documents require a members-only login to download.)

https://imago.org/download-category/iaga-global-2021/

Election period

The IAGA 2021 Election will be held electronically online with secret ballot through an external voting company https://onlinestemtool.nl/ (in english https://onlinevotingtool.com/). The official election results will be emailed to after the election period has ended. The election results will be announced during the IAGA 2021 and will also be published on the IMAGO website after the IAGA 2021 has ended.

The IAGA 2021 election will be held, June 10, 00:01 CEST until June 12, 12:00 CEST (Brussels time).

Voting links and codes needed for the election will be sent out, prior to election start, to each full Member Society with voting rights, to their beforehand verified official voting email address. The vote will be conducted at this URL: https://vote-imago.onlinestemtool.nl/.

Legal Basis for IAGA 2021 by Electronic Vote/Participation

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Belgian government has amended the laws pertaining to associations such as Imago. On 20 December 2020, the Belgian Federal Parliament adopted a new act (the Act), published in the Belgian official Gazette on 24 December 2020, containing various temporary and structural provisions relating to members meetings of associations. 

In order to avoid physical contact between people they have allowed for all associations to meet electronically, even if their statutes don’t specifically allow it. They have also provided that voting can take place electronically, and before the date of the general assembly if needed. Finally they have extended the requirement that general assemblies be held within 3 months of the closing of the accounts to 6 months.

Section 11 of the Act concerns (i) the organisation of remote general meetings, (ii) the right to vote by electronic means prior to general meetings and (iii) the procedure to be followed for the adoption of resolutions in writing and by unanimous vote in Belgian companies and non-profit associations based in Belgium.

The Act amended the Companies and Associations Code which now expressly allows the possibility for the management body to organise general meetings to be held remotely, even if this is not expressly provided for in the articles of association. Moreover, an important development is that the Act extends the possibility for non-profit associations (whether national or international) based in Belgium to hold general meetings remotely, under the same conditions as those applicable to companies.

The right to hold general meeting of shareholders or of members remotely (by electronic means) is subject to the following legal requirements:

1. the means of communication used must enable the association to control the capacity and identity of the members who participate in the meeting;
2. the means of communication must at least enable the members “to be directly, simultaneously and continuously informed of the discussions within the meeting and to exercise their right to vote on all the points on which the meeting is called to decide”; and
3. the association, must grant the right to the members participating in the meeting by electronic means to actively participate in the deliberations and to ask questions. According to the Act, until 30 June 2021, there is a possibility for the management of a an association not to comply with the third requirement mentioned above provided, however, that said management has good and valid reasons for not complying and that said management informs the members, in the convening notice of the meeting, of the reasons why the electronic means of communication will not enable the participants to actively participate in the deliberation or to ask questions.

See you all at the IAGA 2021.

Please vote.