-Who is Valentina Caniglia, CCS?

I am the same girl who grew up on the streets of Napoli dreaming about becoming a cinematographer. I have been able to transcend to a creative level of modern cinema in the craft of cinematography where emotions could be shown by visuals in a genuine approach and a distinctive style. 

I love to explore, create, and move towards a versatile, visual style that best translates each story’s unique concept into breathtaking moving images that unravel the character’s site of mind throughout the progression of the storytelling. 

As a cinematographer I show a concept of beauty that goes beyond the aesthetic aspects. Something more intense that supports, follows, and enhances the story where the camera can capture and show through the eyes and heart of human sensibility behind it, the transparency and the awareness of visuals drawn by emotions

Light is everything. The absence of darkness will not allow us to shine the light.

As a woman in film I walk on the journey of life to move toward an immense feeling of gratitude while I face challenges with grace, courage, laugh and determination and the ability to see the best in every moment in our existence. 

I filmed many feature films (premiered at Sundance, Cannes, Berlin,Venice film festivals) TV series commercials (Netflix, HBO, Paramount, Amazon Prime, Hulu) commercials and brand contents (Pukka, Dove, British Airways, Ford, Nike, Novomatic, Altec, Planned Parenthood), music videos (The Roots, Aesop Rock, Elen Levon and  Amana Melome’. I feel a great pleasure and gratitude to collaborate with all kinds of directors, producers, actors (Juliette Lewis, Spike Lee, Deborah Kampmeier, Randy Wilkins, Richard Ledes, Elliot Gould, Naomi Watts, Ann Dowd, David Chase) to work together as a team. 

When I am not on a project as a cinematographer, I am also a director, writer, still photographer and make video arts. 

-What was your reaction when the Academy invited you to become an official member?

I felt deeply honored and grateful to be invited to be a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is an incredible institution with so many talents involved, the ones who inspired me so much and contributed to be the reason why I am a cinematographer. In my opinion, this is the light that shines on the visual emotions that we create to have people dream, breathe and live through the movies.” 

-Your journey as a cinematographer began in Naples, Italy and your art brought you to LA — what has this journey been like?

My path started when I left Napoli to go to London for two years where I received a scholarship to land in New York and Los Angeles. My journey was hard and long. I was constantly breathing with the desire to make it for the love and passion I had. I started as a war photographer in the Middle East and Africa to then shift into narratives where I could tell stories. Since early age my dad showed movies and retrospectives of all different directors; the most famous and the independent ones where I could explore avant-garde cinema.

-Which cinematographers from film history have inspired you the most?

I would say all of them inspired me in how they lensed various stories in unique ways. I was mainly inspired by classical and modern paintings though.

-Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with cinema?

Yes, I was 9 and I saw a movie called The Conformist. I thought that each frame was like a painting and I wanted to be involved in that process.

-What do you dislike about the world and what would you change?

I dislike wars, silence, indifference, towards violence and fake, abuse towards all. I would change it with a serum that would inject love, kindness, and gratitude in the brains of the people. 

– How do you imagine cinema in 100 years?

I imagine Cinema like a container of memories where people can choose it anytime to play and see the past, present and future.

-What is your impression of a WILD FILMMAKER?

Genuine.