The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is proud to announce the start of the 2026 Paul Bronfman Family Cinematography Intensive. A collaboration between the CFC & CSC this intensive will welcome five female-identifying Directors of Photography on August 17 for a full-time, in-person, Toronto-based, two-week intensive with the 2026 Norman Jewison Film Program.
The five talented participants were selected by the CSC in consultation with the CFC, and will collaborate with CFC directors, writers, producers and editors as they prepare and shoot several productions building their confidence as visual storytellers and team leaders.
“The Paul Bronfman Family Cinematography Intensive reflects the CFC’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for Canada’s creative talent,” said Kathryn Emslie, CFC Executive Lead, Programs. “This intensive offers a process-driven experience rooted in peer-to-peer learning and exchange, giving participants the opportunity to build lasting creative relationships, share knowledge and perspectives, and strengthen a sense of community alongside strong industry connections.”
Formerly known as the Cinematography Intensive, the program was renamed in recognition of the Paul Bronfman Family’s commitment to supporting the next generation of Canadian storytellers and advancing excellence in the craft of cinematography.
“The CFC’s cinematography intensive is a meaningful way for our family to honour my father, Paul and his lifelong passion for filmmaking,” said Jonathan Bronfman. “He believed that exceptional storytelling depends on exceptional craftspeople, and he was deeply committed to helping Canada’s film industry grow and thrive. We are proud to support a program that invests in talented cinematographers, creates opportunities for women behind the camera, and helps shape the future of Canadian screen storytelling.”
Led by acclaimed CSC cinematographer Zoe Dirse, csc, alongside a roster of distinguished guest cinematographers and industry experts, the intensive combines hands-on production experience with individualized mentorship. Participants will be challenged to strengthen their creative ingenuity, problem-solving abilities, and on-set decision-making.
“As we mark the third year of this Intensive, it’s remarkable to see how quickly this program has become a cornerstone for emerging female-identifying cinematographers in this country,” said Zoe Dirse, csc, President, CSC. “Each cohort brings its own distinct energy and vision, and it’s a privilege to watch these artists sharpen their craft and build lasting connections with one another. This milestone is also a continued tribute to the late Paul Bronfman, whose generosity and belief in Canadian talent made this program possible in the first place. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Paul Bronfman Family Foundation, his legacy keeps opening doors for the next generation of storytellers behind the camera.”
The Paul Bronfman Family Cinematography Intensive receives invaluable support from Contributing Partners, the City of Toronto, Keslow Camera Toronto, Sunbelt Rentals, Urban Post Production.
The five participants selected for the 2026 Paul Bronfman Family Cinematography Intensive are:
2026 CFC / CSC Cinematography Intensive DPs
ALYSHA GALBREATH (she/her)
Alysha Galbreath is a Toronto-based Cinematographer who’s been crafting beautiful, honest films for over 20 years. With a deep love of short and long format storytelling, she brings a unique blend of creativity, sensitivity, and technical skills to every project, whether it’s an indie gem, docuseries, or kids’ show. Alysha is drawn to women centred stories, prioritizes collaborating with underrepresented communities, and believes in the power of film to build empathy, shift narratives, and make space for new voices. She is invested in the cultural redefining of womanhood and all of its nuances.
“Kate Arizmendi is one of the cinematographers who inspires me the most. She makes interesting project choices and has had so much variety in the genres of work she does. Her work is always beautiful, and she isn’t afraid to get a little weird with it. She’s an example of not needing to fit the mold, that you can make your own and I love that kind of freedom.”
ASMI CHANDOLA (she/her)
Asmi is a Toronto-based Cinematographer with a strong foundation in the Canadian broadcast industry and a decorated background in European narrative filmmaking. Before dedicating herself fully to cinematography, she spent over a decade at MuchMusic and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as an editor and series producer, developing a strong foundation in visual storytelling. She later completed an MA in Cinematography at FAMU in Prague, one of Europe’s most renowned film schools. During her studies, the 16mm short film Trust Game, which she photographed in her first year, received a Golden Tadpole nomination at EnergaCAMERIMAGE. Her collaboration with Ukrainian director Mariia Felenko on Unexpressed was selected for the Camerimage Talent Demo showcase and will screen at the festival in 2026.
Asmi’s films continue to screen internationally, with recent selections at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Ji.hlava IDFF and Un Festival Trop Court!, among others. She is currently photographing a slate of narrative short films in Canada while continuing to build a career in narrative cinematography across Canada and Europe.
“Cinema has meant different things to me at different stages of my life. Growing up in India, I immersed myself in Indian Art House and Hollywood films. As an adult, I fell for Kurosawa and Almodóvar. After traveling around the world, I find myself inspired by everything—films, photography, painting, music, and the people I meet. I want to use this eclecticism in my inspirations to make me a versatile filmmaker.”
BECKY PARSONS (she/her)
Becky has twenty plus years’ experience in the motion picture and photographic arts. Highlighted credits include cinematographer on award winning Canadian feature films: ‘Weirdos’ directed by Bruce McDonald 2016; ‘Hailey Rose’ by Sandi Somers 2023. In 2025 Becky was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography at the Screen Nova Scotia Awards. Other cinematography and director of photography credits include: ‘The Madones’ by Barrie Dunn 2024, a feature film; ‘Believe in Christmas’ 2024 and ‘The Secret Gifts of Christmas’ 2023 directed by Christie Will Wolf, Hallmark TV movies.
Becky’s fine art photography has exhibited in Halifax and other cities in Nova Scotia; Moncton, New Brunswick; Toronto, Ontario and London, England and is in collections throughout Canada and the UK. Becky is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
“I think off the top of my head… Penny Lane from Almost Famous – or Elisha Cuthbert’s character in The Girl Next Door. Maybe not the most prolific movies, but I think the characters have so much realm of depth and guard as well as just personas they put on and how they protect themselves. And I love a woman with a good secret life haha.”
CHELSEA H. WEDER (she/her)
Chelsea Weder is a cinematographer, filmmaker, and union camera operator passionate about creating visuals for films, documentaries and commercials. Based in Toronto and Los Angeles, she is immersed in the art of creating visually stunning images that elevate stories through unique lighting paired with motivated framing and camera movements. She studied filmmaking, language and literature in the United States and Germany. She immerses herself in the art of storytelling and believes it is essential as a cinematographer to bring stories to life visually. She has been the director of photography for two feature-length projects for the newly popular vertical format series. She has shot multiple short films and music videos with a variety of artists and directors. She won Best Cinematographer for Toronto’s 2024 48-hour annual film project. Chelsea views cinematography as a lifelong pursuit, continually refining her craft through collaboration with fellow cinematographers. Working as a camera operator offers her the opportunity to deepen her understanding of lighting, visual storytelling, and on-set decision-making while bringing each cinematographer’s creative vision to life.
“One of my favourite films is O Brother, Where Art Thou?, shot by Roger Deakins. I appreciate the film’s objective and restrained cinematography that makes the film feel like a whimsical-folksy play, while still being a fantastic piece of well-written art that comedically mixes The Odyssey and 1930’s depression era. I love colour grading and admire the film’s innovative history in being digitized and fully coloured in post.”
SUE JOHNSON (she/her)
Sue Johnson is a Toronto-based cinematographer who works across documentary, narrative, and experimental films. Her work has been shown on major platforms and networks such as Netflix, StarZ, NBC, CBC and Al Jazeera, and has also screened at international festivals including Toronto International Film Festival, HotDocs, Image+Nation, and Inside Out Film Festival.
A member of both I.A.T.S.E. 667 and the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, Johnson composes frames with an eye to the emotive, tactile and thematic. She shares her enthusiasm and knowledge of image-making in the Department of Film and Media Arts at York University, where she is an Assistant Professor.
“Agnes Godard and Kristen Johnson are both inspirations to me. I aspire to Godard’s elegant and expressive framing, and her collaborations with Claire Denis and Wim Wenders have created some of the most enduring images of the 20th century. Johnson’s handheld reminds me of the importance of restraint and timing in documentary – when to stop and hold the frame, and what frame allows the subject to truly reveal itself.”