It is with profound sadness that IMAGO marks the passing of our former President, colleague and friend, Nigel Walters BSC. A dedicated cinematographer and tireless supporter of our community, Nigel’s influence on IMAGO was far-reaching.

Elected unanimously as IMAGO President in 2008, Nigel guided the organization through a crucial period of growth and stability. Under his leadership, associate members gained full membership rights, allowing IMAGO to extend its reach beyond Europe.

Nigel cared deeply about bringing cinematographers together across borders. He encouraged international dialogue, launched the Balkan Conference at the Manaki Brothers Film Festival, and ensured IMAGO had a strong presence worldwide, most notably by organizing the first General Assembly ever held outside Europe in 2015. His collaboration with British Cinematographer magazine gave IMAGO a consistent editorial platform and led to the publication of three editions of the World Cinematographers Directory.

A firm defender of authors’ rights and fair working conditions, Nigel helped establish Screen Craft Rights and contributed extensively to IMAGO’s Working Conditions Committee. His tact, generosity, and steady commitment to cinematographers helped strengthen IMAGO into a truly international federation.

IMAGO President Mustapha Barat shared his memories of Nigel: “It deeply saddens me to learn of the passing of former IMAGO president Nigel Walters BSC. I last had the pleasure of meeting him at the 45th Manaki Brothers Festival in 2024. While I was experiencing it for the first time, Nigel had been one of its most staunch supporters for years. His many noteworthy contributions to IMAGO will not be forgotten.”

Founder and former IMAGO President Luciano Tovoli also reflected on their years of close collaboration: “I am deeply saddened by Nigel’s passing. It feels as though I have lost a close family member, as we shared so many years. Throughout our long collaboration within IMAGO… despite occasional disagreements, we were, above all, friends and partners in a cause we both cherished. His passing leaves an immense void in my life.”

Nigel leaves a lasting legacy: a broader, more resilient and more connected community of cinematographers.

In Memory of Nigel BSC

By Former President of IMAGO Paul René Roestad FNF

The news of Nigel’s passing was received with great sorrow among his so many friends World-wide. Not many people has the same extraordinary ability as Nigel had, to connect and to so warmheartedly make close and lasting friendships with so many people, whatever nationality, language or culture, all around the World.

What stood his heart close was to prepare the ground for cinematographers to work for each other, to aid and support each other, internationally.

Nigel Walters was for several significant years (2008 to 2015) the President of IMAGO, the International Federation of Cinematographers. Under his Presidency,  IMAGO expanded significantly, it transferred from a European Federation to being truly International, and IMAGO’s connecting network expanded greatly thanks to Nigel’s personal and diplomatic abilities.  Today IMAGO has members on all continents and it was under Nigel’s presidency the words “The Spirit of IMAGO” really came to life. IMAGO honoured Nigel in 2015 by awarded him the prestigious IMAGO Honorary Membership Award.

But working ideally and internationally for cinematographers and colleagues were one thing. Wherever in the World we were, however important meetings we were in, we were all immediately updated when the Welsh National Rugby Team scored. Wales was always an integrated and important part of Nigel. As was of course also all of Great Britain, and Finland, the country of his wife.

As a person – with his humanity, sense of humour, curiosity and so many other qualities, Nigel was truly exceptional.

In our sorrow of having lost an important friend, our special thoughts goes to Nigel’s family, which meant so much to him, and to all his colleagues in the British Society of Cinematographers, where Nigel played a significant role for several years.

Nigel Walters will always be remembered by all his friends in IMAGO, with sincere warmth and with sincere and deep gratitude!

IMAGO expresses its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, and honors with gratitude the remarkable contribution he made to our profession and to all who are part of it.