Feature

AC and Canon Host Creative Events At Sundance 2019

American Cinematographer joins Canon in Park City, UT, Jan. 25-28 for discussions with filmmakers regarding the latest production tools and cinematography techniques.

ASC Staff


On January 25-28, American Cinematographer joins Canon in Park City, UT, for lively and informative discussions with filmmakers regarding the latest production tools and cinematography techniques.


American Cinematographer is proud to partner with Canon at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, where the company is hosting the Canon Creative Studio — located in the heart of Park City at 592 Main St. (Open from 11:00am to 7:00pm.)


Rudy Valdez, director and DP of “The Sentence,” at the Canon Creative Studio last year.

A hub for filmmakers, the Canon Creative Studio is a place for hands-on experimentation with Canon equipment and thought-provoking panel conversations curated by the editors of American Cinematographer


Festival filmmakers and invited guests are welcomed to come see the latest Canon gear while enjoying a cup of coffee or a snack on us. Once again, Canon is excited to offer complimentary filmmaker headshots by photographer Michael Ori. Open to Artist Badges and invited guests only. 


A shot from the Raise Your Glass cocktail reception in 2018.

Learn more and request access to attend the Canon Creative Studio here



Select panels held at the Studio will be moderated by American Cinematographer contributors, with each event streaming via Facebook Live through AC's page, allowing everyone worldwide to attend and even pose questions to panel participants.

Inside the 2018 edition of the Canon Creative Studio in Park City. (Photo by Danna Kinsky)
Inside the 2018 edition of the Canon Creative Studio in Park City. (Photo by Danna Kinsky)

Below is a complete schedule of the panel discussions and participants. Following the events, we will add links to further AC coverage of happenings taking place at the Canon Creative Studio.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 25

12:00 PM
PANEL | Breaking the Frame 
Presented by AFI Conservatory
Join the AFI Conservatory for an engaging discussion with women filmmakers, how they got there, and what can be done to add to their ranks. Panel features AFI alumnae filmmakers and is moderated by Lauren Ludwig, Director, AFI Directing Workshop for Women.


Fom left are cinematographers Robert Muratore, Edd Lukas and Graham Willoughby and moderator Jay Holben.

3:00 PM
PANEL | Shining a Light on Lenses 
With so many lenses available, the creative options are endless. So how do you find the right glass to craft your look? Top cinematographers Graham Willoughby (Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am), Robert Muratore (MEMORY - The Origins of Alien), and Edd Lukas (David Crosby: Croz Was Here) share insight into their selection process. You can read a full report on this event here or watch the discussion below:



5:00 PM
Magic Hour co-hosted by AFI Conservatory

Kick off the Festival right at this fun evening celebrating AFI Conservatory alumni.


SATURDAY, JANUARY 26

From left are Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF; Eve M. Cohen; Naiti Gámez; moderator Pat Thomson; Kristy Tully and special guest Nancy Schreiber, ASC.

12:00 PM
PANEL | DP First: Women Who Shoot 
What does it mean to be a woman in production? Top cinematographers weigh in on their personal journey and the mission for representation in the film industry. Featuring Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF (Honey Boy), Kristy Tully (Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins), Naiti Gamez (Hail Satan?), and Eve Cohen (Ashe '68). You can read our story here or watch the complete discussion below:



From left are producer Fisher Stevens, producer Xan Parker, director Ross Kauffman, cinematographer Matt Porwoll and moderator Jay Holben.

3:00 PM
PANEL | Spotlight On: Tigerland 
Join Academy Award winners Ross Kauffman and Fisher Stevens, cinematographer Matt Porwoll, and producer Xan Parker as they take us behind the scenes of Tigerland, shot on the EOS C300 Mark II. Learn how the team captured the stunning story of the guardians of the last Siberian tigers, who risk everything to save the species. You can do a deep dive into the production here or watch the discussion below:



5:00 PM
Magic Hour co-hosted by Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Come celebrate with us and special guest host Robert Schwartzman (filmmaker and founder of Utopia Media) as we salute the filmmakers of the Festival.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 

12:00 PM
PANEL | Spotlight On: This is Personal

Acclaimed documentary duo director Amy Berg and DP Thorsten Thielow discuss the intricacies of non-fiction filmmaking through the lens of their newest film This is Personal (formerly Til Everybody's Free), shot on the EOS C300 Mark II and Cinema EOS lenses. You can watch the discussion here:



3:00 PM
PANEL | From Production to Post: Collaborating on Documentary Now!
In partnership with Adobe

In the spirit of collaboration, Canon and Adobe bring director/DP Alex Buono and editors Micah Gardner and Jordan Kim to the stage to discuss their workflow on Documentary Now! Get the inside scoop on the tools they use to bring the series to life, including Canon XF305 and XF405 camcorders and Adobe Premiere Pro. You can watch the discussion below:



6:00 PM
Raise Your Glass with Canon
By invitation only

Raise Your Glass is Canon's annual toast to the cinematographers of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. The evening is co-hosted by American Cinematographer. All guests will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a Canon EOS R mirrorless full-frame camera paired with an Atomos Ninja V, courtesy of American Cinematographer.


MONDAY, JANUARY 28

12:00 PM
PANEL | Spotlight On: Paddleton

Director Alex Lehmann and cinematographer Nathan Miller discuss the unique joys and challenges of indie filmmaking as they break down the making of Paddleton, a Duplass Brothers Productions film shot on the EOS C700 and streaming soon on Netflix. You can watch the complete discussion below:



5:00 PM
Magic Hour co-hosted by Adorama

Join Canon and Adorama as we call “martini” on the Canon Creative Studio at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. 


You’ll find our complete report on AC’s partnership with Canon during the 2018 fest here


Follow Canon on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. #CANONCREATIVESTUDIO


Stay up to date with AC on FacebookInstagram and Twitter








Subscribe Today

Act now to receive 12 issues of the award-winning AC magazine — the world’s finest cinematography resource.

April 2024 AC Magazine Cover
March 2024 AC Magazine Cover
February 2024 AC Magazine Cover