Bringing Light to The Emigrants: TÖFF Masterclass 2025

It was a great honor to be invited to give a masterclass on how we made The Emigrants with almost no artificial lighting — how we prepared, from scouting and production design to our 1st AD’s precise sun-driven planning. The session was moderated by the wonderful cinematographer Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC, who turned the whole event into a smooth and engaging conversation between us on stage and the packed audience.

I have to admit I was a little taken aback right after we screened the film. When the lights came up, the room was completely silent — it took a few seconds before the discussion started. It was moving to experience that the film still resonates, perhaps even more now, given the context of what’s happening in the world today.

picture ©Dhanushka G.