The Rome Conference

The Rome Conference in 2010 will be regarded as a landmark in the progress of IMAGO. Formed eighteen years ago to unite cinematographers everywhere, the IAGA returned to the home of its founder, Luciano Tovoli AIC, ASC. Thanks to the collaboration of the AIC members, young and old, and the generosity of its many sponsors the Cinecitta Studios hosted this highly successful conference which boasted delegates from twenty-eight of IMAGO’s thirty-eight world -wide Societies, the greatest representation ever.

Japan was represented for the first time as was New Zealand. There was an agenda to tackle but nothing overwhelmed the spirit of fellowship and determination to solve common problems of the delegates present. Those who have worked so hard to make a success of the dream of Luciano must have been proud of the realisation that the ideals were becoming a reality.
Delegates were welcomed on behalf of Cinecitta Studios by their managing director Maurizio Sperandini.

In his opening address of gratitude to the Studios, the President of IMAGO, Nigel Walters BSC also introduced Dr Cristina Busch, IMAGO’s legal adviser, who has presented a strategy for the future progress for the issue of Authors Rights for Cinematographers. In the afternoon session Mercedes Escherer, founder of the EUXXL outlined the importance to cinematographers of the Vienna Forum. This will provide the basis for future debate within Europe as to progress in working conditions for the cinematographer and crew, author’s rights and the question of EU funding for rights of cinematographers.

The welcome to the Japanese delegates represented by their President Kitaro Kanematsu and Koichiro Ishida marked a dramatic step forward in the aspirations shared by all delegates. Leon Narbey represented New Zealand. All roads lead to Rome but his was the longest.

The Israeli Association of cinematographers, the ACT were represented by their President, Idane Or and the winner of the Golden Frog 2009 at Plus Camerimage for his work on the film “Lebanon”, Giora Bajech.
The Israeli Society was accepted as the 38th Society in the Federation. Next year in Tallinn, Estonia, Imago hopes for additions to its fellowship from South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Singapore. The Irish are also in the process of founding a Society as are the Albanians.

The Hungarian Society presented its ambitious plans to celebrate the twentieth Anniversary of its Foundation and desire to host a World Conference of Cinematographers later in the year. 2010 is the year of Culture for Budapest. The Norwegian Society presented it proposals for this present year and plans for a third successful Digital Cinema Forum in Oslo in 2011. The Netherlands are publishing a book of interviews with world renowned cinematographers with the support of IMAGO. The Bulgarian Vice president of IMAGO, Ivan Tonev, delivered a report as to how the Imago Model Contract had been translated to his language and adopted as a positive step forward by his country. Marek Jicha from the Czech Republic introduced the new Cinematographers International Festival in Ostrava, to which IMAGO pledged an observer this year.

Of equal significance the plight of Plus Camerimage was debated. A resolution was unanimously passed which can be seen on this web site. Also Guillermo Navarro’s proposal for Film Heritage was supported without dissent. (Both Resolutions can be read in this news page as separate items).
IMAGO would like to express their appreciation to the AIC, their sponsors outlined below, and Diana Apostol of Panalight, Romania for all they did to make this IAGA such a success. Imago also appreciates the appearance of Vittorio Storraro at the Technicolor Laboratory in Rome. He never fails to entertain and inform.

Thank you to Arri Italia ,Cartocci F.111,Cartoni, Ciak Italia, Cinecitta, Cinetech Italiana SRL, DeLuxe, Eurolab,Fuji Film, Ianiro,Iride SRL K5600, Kodak, Lite Panels, Panalight, Piumaworld Srl, Rosco Laboratories and Technicolor. Also with the support of the Provincia di Roma.
The Ukrainians departed with promises from the Danes that their plight for assistance would be sympathetically examined and hopefully result in long term assistance from a generous Nation to one which requires assistance. Of such is the essence which marks out such International gatherings and makes everything so worthwhile.
The Board were re-elected with the addition of Luciano Tovoli AIC and Richard Andry AFC who replaces Robert Alazraki AFC who has resigned due to work pressures after many years of loyal service to IMAGO.
Next year Tallinn, Estonia which IMAGO has pledged to support. 2012 could be Australia and 2013 France. Always expect the unexpected!
Nigel Walters BSC President.
 

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