Inside the September 2025 Issue of American Cinematographer
The September 2025 issue of American Cinematographer presents a special focus on international production, featuring coverage of 28 Years Later (shot in the U.K.), The Fantastic Four: First Steps (U.K. and Spain), Hundertdreizehn
(Austria and Germany), The Eternaut (Argentina) and The Return of the Projectionist (Azerbaijan). Also in the issue are respective reports on the ASC’s recent AI Summit and Kodak’s enhancement of Vision3 film stocks.
President’s Desk — On the International Cinematography Community
Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS reflects on how the ASC and American Cinematographer help showcase the work of filmmakers across the globe and foster an "international ecosystem."
28 Years Later — Innovative Horror Made in the U.K.
Anthony Dod Mantle, ASC, BSC, DFF discusses how he and director Danny Boyle found and achieved the look of the horror-thriller 28 Years Later. First AC David Churchyard provides a technical deep dive on into using iPhones for the ambitious sequel project.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps — A Joint U.K.-Spain Production for the MCU
Jess Hall, ASC, BSC teams with visual-effects supervisor Scott Stokdyk unpack the bold aesthetic of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The filmmakers reveal the in-camera and VFX processes behind the creation of fantastical characters and settings.
Hundertdreizehn — A Six-Part Saga Shot in Austria and Germany
Cinematographer Ralph Kaechele, BVK details how he and his collaborators approached Hundertdreizehn as a narrative told through “fragments of time,” creating a mosaic of perspectives across its six episodes.
The Eternaut — A Sci-Fi Epic From Argentina
In bringing the iconic sci-fi comic The Eternaut to the screen, cinematographer Gastón Girod combined VFX and virtual-production technologies to imbue its story with a sense of realism.
ASC AI Summit — Visual Artistry in the Age of AI
Society members, filmmakers and technologists gathered for the ASC AI Summit, "Visual Artistry in the Age of AI," to discuss the latest developments in generative artificial intelligence and the technology's impact on the industry.
Tools of the Trade — Kodak Vision3 Film Stock Enhancements
Kodak introduces upgrades to its Vision3 film stocks, offering technical and environmental improvements while maintaining high image quality.
Global Village — Shooting The Return of the Projectionist in Azerbaijan
Cinematographer Daniel Guliyev and director Orkhan Aghazadeh recount the challenges of shooting the documentary The Return of the Projectionist with limited gear and crew in remote locations. The film recently won the American Cinematographer Award at the Salem Film Fest in Massachusetts.
Wrap Shot — Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Richard Crudo, ASC considers the enduring influence of Night of the Living Dead (1968), the zombie-horror classic shot and directed by George A. Romero.
