Post-Production Partner
The Fresh Perspectives in Cinematography grant program is offered exclusively to current members of the ASC Vision Mentorship Program. Along with our partners at ARRI and the ASC, we strive to support creatives who bring their distinctive voices, backgrounds, and experiences to the craft of cinematography. These fresh perspectives push boundaries, challenge norms, and break new ground in visual storytelling.
Five emerging cinematographers are being granted the distinct opportunity to share their unique perspectives through the capture of cinematic images while using the highest quality equipment.
The recipients will each receive:
- A generous ARRI camera and lens package rental credit valid at AbelCine's NY or LA rental locations
- Post-production color grading support through Goldcrest Post
They will also be given an opportunity to screen footage at an industry Q&A event during Cine Gear Expo LA (June 2024). A mixer event will also be held at the ASC Clubhouse.
Meet this year's recipients:
Leo Behrens
Leo Behrens is an award-winning Norwegian trans cinematographer based in Los Angeles. He began his career as a camera operator and director, after graduating from Westerdals Film & TV in 2010. In just a few years, he advanced to the role of cinematographer, making notable contributions to a wide range of projects in Norway, spanning documentaries, music videos, short films, TV series, and reality TV shows.
Leo's short film SKIN, for which he served as the writer, director, and cinematographer, won the Gold Medal in the alternative/experimental category at the 2023 Student Academy Awards, and he received a mentorship through the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a Gold Alumni.
In 2023, Leo earned his cinematography degree from the American Film Institute Conservatory. Shortly after his graduation, he was selected for the 2023-2024 ASC Vision Mentorship Program.
leobehrens.art | Instagram: @dp_leobehrens
Teresa Carante
Teresa Carante has over eight years of experience working in the camera department across Australia, Vietnam, and the USA. Her passion lies in telling stories about humans' connection with wildlife and the environment. Teresa's latest job was filming as Topside DP for the National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition in the Federated States of Micronesia. Prior to that she was Topside DP on an anti-whaling show for Captain Paul Watson's new foundation, across Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
In 2022 Teresa also received mentorship from Paul Atkins, ASC and Stephen Lighthill, ASC and was selected to participate in the Jackson Wild Cinematography Lab that took place in Austria in the last week of September 2023. Here, Teresa received an Honorable Mention at the Jackson Wild Media Awards for her short documentary The Awakening of the Vietnamese Elephant.
Teresa was accepted into the 2023-2024 ASC Vision Mentorship Program, receiving mentorship from Rodney Taylor, ASC.
teresacarante.com | Instagram: @tessy87
Mars Garcia
Mars Garcia is a Mexican-born cinematographer with a photojournalistic and fine art still photography background, having exhibiting work at The Queens Museum of New York and galleries throughout NYC.
Mars has lensed narrative pieces like The Chrononaut, starring Khalil Kain (Juice), and commercial work, recently completing a campaign for Captain Morgan. Mars is one of the recipients of AFI's Cinematography Intensive for Women (2023), and is currently mentored by Sandra Valde-Hansen, ASC, LPS.
Mars wants to tell stories about the oppressed breaking free from oppression, narratives of people of color and women, and art that explores identity.
marscinematography.com | Instagram: @marscinematography
Emily Kordovich
Emily Kordovich is a Director of Photography based in Brooklyn, NY. A first-generation Macedonian immigrant, Emily grew up in a small town outside Rochester, NY.
Much of the work they have lensed focuses on immigrant stories, women’s stories, and queer stories, always with the goal of aiding the narrative and making people feel something with their visuals. A recent sketch comedy pilot that Emily lensed (One Million Girls) won Best of Late Night at SeriesFest 2023.
Emily’s other recent short films include The Captives, Other Half, You Mourn Weird, A Film About Fascism, Lake Pluto, Ephemeral, and ELENA (their 16mm thesis film, selected for the RIT Honors Show 2018 and RIT’s selected participant for the international CILECT prize). Emily was accepted into the ASC Vision Mentorship Program in 2023.
emilykordovich.com | Instagram: @emilykordovich
Jacob Mallin
Jacob Mallin is a New York-based Director of Photography specializing in narrative cinematography. With a background in set lighting, he combines an extensive technical knowledge of lighting and camera technology with visual inspiration from a wide range of world cinema to find the right look for each story. He has shot narrative, commercial and music video projects across genres. In his free time, he can be found in a nearby movie theater or working on his current photography project – shooting street photography on 35mm film at local bars.
Jacob likes to tell stories that explore universal human emotions and how they can be examined through unique situations.
jacobmallindp.com | Instagram: @quietjacob
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