Representatives from EnergaCamerimage and women and cinematographer organizations plan to meet Thursday morning amid a representation controversy that has plagued the annual cinematography film festival that is being held this week in Torun, Poland.
The official invitation came from Camerimage and the Polish Society of Cinematographers. Part of the invitation, which was obtained by Variety, reads: “We would like to create a space to hear and share the experiences of the voices represented by the cinematographic organizations, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the marginalized perspectives in relation to the changes in the industry. We would like to provide an opportunity to articulate the needs and expectations for the future of our industry.”
It is understood that an estimated 60 organizations have been invited to participate, each by sending one or two representatives to the meeting. Insiders from a couple of these groups that spoke with Variety said they hope that the meeting can be a positive step.
The invitation says the “hosts” for the meeting are “safer creative process facilitator” Kasia Szustow and Polish cinematographer Piotr Śliskowski. It was not immediately known if Camerimage festival director Marek Zydowicz would be in attendance.
Prior to the start of the 32nd Edition of Camerimage, which opened Saturday in Torun, Poland, Zydowicz wrote a column published in Cinematography World magazine, which appeared to suggest that having greater representation of women DPs and directors in the event’s selection could lead to the inclusion of “mediocre film productions.”
This provoked allegations of misogyny, leading to responses from groups including the British Society of Cinematographers, American Society of Cinematographers and Women in Cinematography, a collective formed in recent months that comprises people from dozens of collectives and societies around the world.
On Tuesday, a festival panel whose participants included Cate Blanchett, this year’s main competition jury president, and cinematographer Mandy Walker discussed diversity and inclusion.
