Paulina Masternak | DOP/Cinematographer

(Post Production), Dir. Yasir Akhtar A feature television drama following a man’s journey from exile toward emotional reconciliation and self-reclamation. Set against themes of family, love, and belonging, the story explores displacement and the quiet struggle to rebuild identity. The cinematography leans into controlled contrast, textured night exteriors, and intimate framing — using shadow and proximity to reflect longing, isolation, and the fragile rediscovery of self.

(Post Production) Dir. Nina Caspari Psychological Sci-Fi Thriller In a near-future audition experiment, an actress is isolated in a pastel-toned room where performance is chemically enhanced — and identity begins to dissolve. What starts as an opportunity for recognition slowly transforms into a controlled psychological trial, blurring the line between character and self. Through hazy light, muted pastels, and restrained framing, the cinematography contrasts softness with creeping dread — creating a space that slowly tightens around the character.

(Post Production) Dir. Sebastian Krolak Jaboya — meaning “sex for fish” — refers to a transactional system within the Luo fishing communities of Kisumu, on the shores of Lake Victoria. The term describes the power imbalance between fishermen and female fish traders who are often forced into exploitative arrangements to secure their livelihoods. When Sanaipei and her daughter Zawadi relocate from their Maasai homeland to Kisumu, they must navigate an unfamiliar social structure shaped by survival, tradition, and silent negotiation. Through natural light, environmental texture, and restrained camera language, the cinematography observes the tension between beauty and vulnerability within this complex world.

Directed by Sebastian Krolak My role: 2nd Unit DOP In rural Tanzania, a young girl with albinism navigates childhood with quiet strength — until a sudden incident forces her to face the reality of the world around her. The film contrasts the beauty and warmth of natural light with the underlying tension of social vulnerability, using atmosphere and visual intimacy to tell a deeply human story.

Directed by Sebastian Krolak When a power cut leaves ten-year-old Tommy alone in a silent, dark house, imagination and fear begin to blur the boundaries between reality and illusion. What starts as childhood anxiety evolves into a confrontation with something unseen — and possibly real. Shot with an emphasis on shadow and negative space, the film explores how darkness transforms familiar spaces into psychological landscapes. Darkness is used not only as fear, but as space — forcing the audience to experience isolation alongside the child.

Dir. Andrew McGee Role: 2nd Unit DOP Set in a dystopian near-future, Venus follows Iris, torn from her idyllic digital existence and placed into a stolen synthetic body by her grieving mother. As she confronts the objectification and violent potential of her new body, the film explores autonomy, grief, and identity. The visual language supports the film’s cold, dystopian world, blending stylised lighting with emotional unease.

Dir. Blake Ridder A short drama exploring themes of immigration, prejudice and quiet tension within a family home. The cinematography uses tension in contrast and confined framing to reflect the psychological pressure of the encounter. Controlled shadows and carefully composed frames reflect the emotional pressure between authority and vulnerability, allowing the drama to unfold visually as much as narratively.

Dir. Blake Ridder Agent Logan returns to base to reunite with operator Anna — but an unseen threat begins to infiltrate their facility. The cinematography contrasts cold, clinical interiors with warmer pockets of human connection. Hard edges, negative space and sculpted shadow define the technological environment, while close framing preserves the emotional vulnerability of the characters.

Dir. Sebastian Krolak Lora and Anna, navigating the unpredictability of life on the Italian streets, dream of escaping to Hollywood to become actresses. As ambition collides with reality, they are forced to question how much they are willing to sacrifice for a fragile vision of fame. The cinematography embraces natural light and imperfect spaces, allowing the atmosphere of the streets to shape the emotional tone of the film. Sun-bleached exteriors and intimate handheld moments reflect the tension between illusion and reality.

Dir. Rachael Wainaina and Sebastian Krolak A Kenyan wife and Italian husband face a growing cultural conflict that escalates into a life-or-death situation involving their daughter. The story confronts the deeply rooted practice of female genital mutilation and the painful tension between tradition and protection. The cinematography moves between warm, intimate family interiors and raw, sun-burned exteriors, using natural light and restrained contrast to reflect emotional pressure and cultural divide. The camera remains close to the characters, allowing the audience to feel the weight of silence, fear, and moral conflict without sensationalising the subject. Visual contrasts between warmth and severity subtly mirror the cultural and moral divide at the heart of the story.

Dir. Sebastian Krolak Period Drama Set in the times of the ancient Slavs, Bonds follows a family of four navigating the fragile balance between tradition, innocence, and consequence. Young Tamara struggles to accept the reality she has been placed into — what feels like play and defiance to her slowly unravels into emotional distress for the entire family. The cinematography embraces natural textures, earth tones, and elemental light, grounding the story in a raw, ancestral atmosphere while framing the characters with intimacy and restraint — allowing tension to grow quietly within the family space.