The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC) are pleased to announce the five participants joining the 2025 Cinematography Intensive, a comprehensive two-week training opportunity for female-identifying DOPs in collaboration with the Norman Jewison Film Program. With continued support by the Paul Bronfman Family Foundation, this groundbreaking intensive honours the late Paul Bronfman’s legacy by helping cinematographers elevate their craft, strengthen their storytelling, teamwork and technical skills, and expand their professional network. The five talented artists from across Canada arrived at the CFC for the Cinematography Intensive on August 11. See here for more information.
As part of the Intensive, the Directors of Photography (DOP) will take part in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions led by CSC cinematographers Arthur Cooper and Zoe Dirse. They will also have the opportunity to collaborate with CFC directors, producers and editors working across multiple productions, while continuing to refine their craft and develop their distinctive visual approach. Following the Intensive in the final week of August, participants and their mentors will take part in a virtual group screening to share their work and reflect on the process. The DOPs will leave the program with new skills, connections and high-quality, original material to include in their reels to enhance their portfolio of work.
“Continuing to support the Cinematography Intensive is a meaningful way to honour my father’’s dedication to Canadian cinema,” said Jonathan Bronfman, Paul Bronfman Family Foundation. “His leadership helped shape the industry and create opportunities, especially for emerging artists working behind the lens. Through this program, his impact lives on and his commitment to nurturing talent continues to inspire.”
“This initiative remains a bold and necessary investment in the future of cinematography,” said Zoe Dirse CSC, President of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. “It empowers emerging female-identifying cinematographers to grow their skills and expand their networks in a meaningful way. It also serves as a tribute to the late Paul Bronfman, whose decades-long support for the CSC and passionate advocacy for Canadian talent helped shape both this organization and opportunities like the CFC/CSC Cinematography Intensive. His impact continues to resonate in everything we do.”
2025 CFC / CSC Cinematography Intensive DPs
Alexis Moar (Calgary, AB) is an Alberta-based cinematographer and camera operator with over a decade of experience in the film industry. She studied Film and Video Production at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and since then her work has spanned narrative, documentary, and experimental projects. Alexis continually works to grow as an artist by drawing inspiration from the people she surrounds herself with, the natural world around her, and evocative surrealist imagery. A dedicated member of the film community, she has mentored emerging female filmmakers through programs like Herland and remains committed to lifting up others in their creative journeys. Her work is driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to create with sensitivity and depth.
Belen Garcia (Vancouver, BC) is a Mexican cinematographer living and working in Vancouver, Canada. With a background in animation, photography, and design, she brings a unique visual sensibility to her work. In 2018, she received a full scholarship to attend the VFS Film Production Program and has since built a career in both the independent and commercial space. Belen is a hands-on DP who loves being on set, with a particular passion for lighting. She’s committed to fostering positive, safe environments on set and is a proud member of Apertura, a Mexican collective of women cinematographers. She was selected for the 2022–2023 ASC Vision Mentorship Program, where she was mentored by Oliver Bokelberg ASC, and is currently an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers.
Kadri Koop (Pemberton, BC) is an Estonian cinematographer, residing in Canada, constantly hopping between North America and Europe. She spent her early 20s exploring, studying, and working across Europe and Asia before landing in the U.S. on a scholarship to study documentary film at Stanford. After a stint working in the field, Kadri found her true passion in cinematography and dove headfirst into the American Film Institute, honing her skills in narrative storytelling. Since then, she’s been shooting both short and long-form narrative and documentary projects with her unique visual style that bridges naturalism with heightened realism. Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed—Kadri has been nominated for the ASC Heritage Award and the Student Emmy’s. Most recently, she snagged the 2024 Angénieux Special Encouragement Award at the Cannes Film Festival, sharing the honor with legendary Indian cinematographer Santosh Sivan ASC ISC.
Nadzeya Mikhalchenkava (Toronto, ON) is a Belarusian-born cinematographer based in Toronto whose work has been showcased at the Women Film Festival, Sunderland Film Festival, Paris Film Awards, and numerous festivals across France, England, and Canada. In 2024, she received Best Cinematography at the IBDFF for the short film Vanamaaly. Awarded a scholarship to study film in Paris, Nadzeya began developing her distinctive visual style, influenced by Tarkovsky, Bergman, and Herzog. She later earned a Master’s in Film and TV from the University of Sunderland, refining her expertise in camera operation, lighting, directing, editing, and color grading. At the conclusion of her Master’s, her thesis film—which she directed—won the Best Overall Post-Graduate Project (Film) award. A professional musician and dancer, she incorporates rhythm, movement, and musicality into her cinematography, using these sensibilities to shape pacing, framing, and camera choreography. This fusion of disciplines lends her work both visual impact and a sense of harmonic composition. Having lived and worked in Belarus, France, China, Cambodia, England, and now Canada, Nadzeya brings a multicultural perspective and a sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts, creating visually expressive, emotionally resonant imagery that connects across borders and artistic forms.
Talia Woodland (Whitehorse, Yukon / Toronto, ON) is an ex-dancer turned filmmaker currently based in Toronto. After being raised far from the film industry in Whitehorse, Yukon, she has built a busy camera career with a passion for environmental and social justice projects. Talia is passionate about supporting other women identifying and nonbinary folks to join and succeed in the field of cinematography. As a Steadicam Operators Association Certified Steadicam Operator/owner, Talia has a growing list of Steadicam/camera operating credits on a range of projects. Her years on set as an AC and operator have led her to the role of cinematographer, a new journey she is excited to take. Some of her recent cinematography work includes a climate comedy series: THE BIG OIL ALLIANCE, winner of Best Cinematography (Comedic) at New Jersey Web Fest. Talia graduated from Humber College’s Film and Television Production Advanced Diploma program, with a focus in Cinematography, and Directing/Producing. She is the recipient of Humber’s 2019 Women in Film Award/Scholarship for achievement of overall excellence in the program. Her thesis short documentary film ALL IT GIVES, has screened at 18 global film festivals and has won 3 awards.