Welcome to the International Cinema Lighting Society

They helped me connect with the right people in the industry.

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Frank van Hekken (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Full Member

ICLS seems to be a great opportunity for me to be globally connected with colleagues and exchange experiences. Sharing knowledge and meeting people from all over the world can be very valuable. I also really enjoy being invited by manufacturers to showcase their latest designs and how they work. What I also appreciate is that everyone in the lighting industry is involved, including light designers, rigging gaffers, and board operators.

ICLS is an inspirational organization that provides access to skilled technicians and artisans of cinema lighting worldwide.

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A. Spike Simms (Georgia, USA)

Full Member

ICLS is an inspirational organization that provides privileged, instant access to skilled technicians and artisans of cinema lighting worldwide. As a Gaffer with over 35 years experience I have never seen a more comprehensive collection of resources. Our bit of this filmmaking machine is changing faster than ever before and I certainly work with a higher level of confidence knowing ICLS is at my fingertips.

ICLS is a great organisation in the industry.

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Pat Sweeney (London, England)

Full Member

ICLS is a great organisation that brings together like minded individuals who have a common goal and that is to make working in the film industry an inspiring experience for all that it touches. I have worked in the film industry for the last 28 years and look forward to many more.

ICLS is allowing us all to grow and improve the standards within the industry by working together and sharing information.

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Barry Conroy (Wicklow, Ireland)

Full Member

I am a qualified electrician and Gaffer living in Ireland. I have worked in the film industry for 25 years and have enjoyed meeting and working with some brilliant crews and DOP’s around the world. I love doing what we do. We help DOP’s and directors bring their visions to the screen for the world to enjoy. Being a full member of ICLS is allowing us all to grow and improve the standards within the industry by working together and sharing information.

ICLS community provides continual education and insight surrounding all areas of cinematic lighting, technology, and practice.

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Christian Grosselfinger (California, USA)

Full Member

Being a member of the ICLS community provides continual education and insight surrounding all areas of cinematic lighting, technology, and practice. While we preserve the past and strengthen our future, participating together as a community in these ever-changing times is imperative for artistic and aesthetic progress. The privilege of sharing ideas and gaining knowledge amongst so many great artisans is priceless.

For me communication is the best creative stimulation. 

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Daan de Boer (Diemen/Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Full Member

For me communication is the best creative stimulation.

The ICLS is a warm place where we all can learn from each other by sharing experiences while talking about the best job by far in film.

I was fortunate be invited to the early zoom calls that ultimately led to the formation of this amazing organization.

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Dave Samuel (New York, USA)

Full Member

I was fortunate be invited to the early zoom calls that ultimately led to the formation of this amazing organization. The amount of new knowledge I’ve both acquired and knowledge of been able to pass on has been enormously stimulating.  Nice to know there are still great people to meet and things to learn after 35 years of cinema lighting.

ICLS is the ideal place for growth, both professionally and as a person!

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Florian Kronenberger (Berlin, Germany)

Full Member

In my opinion, growth, both professionally and as a person, is best possible within a community. The ICLS is the ideal place for that.

My experience of being an ICLS member has been very enriching.

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Juliana Cortés Vidal (Bogotá / Cali, Colombia)

Associate Member

My experience of being an ICLS member has been very enriching, I have been able to connect with professionals in the lighting area around the world; this has allowed me to update myself on the latest lighting equipment that comes to the market and new software’s to be able to do our work in a more complete and cutting-edge way.

ICLS is a great, very informative and helpful group! The benefit is invaluable!!!

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Thorsten Kosellek (Berlin, Germany)

Full Member

I joined the society in 2022 and using the contacts, recommendations and information of my worldwide colleagues regularly. I love working world wide and getting to know new cultures and colleagues. Just to name a few movies I worked on “Bardo”( Darius Khondji) “ Maria” ( Ed Lachman) & “white Lotus” (Ben Kutchins). Looking for a crew, asking for help with a spontaneous problem directly to the brand owner, are just some of the positive sides of the ICLS. Last week I was looking for a Dimmerboard operator in Asia Area and found (through ICLS) an Operator from Australia in less than 4 days! With personal recommendations from a colleague from Australia. It’s a great, very informative and helpful group! The benefit is invaluable!!!

I am happy that ICLS exists.

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Robert Oberč (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Full Member

Since I have been with the ICLS during the corona period, I can say that during this time I have met so many new people who share my passion in this job and the network we have built up gives me the opportunity to find answers or others to help, I am happy that ICLS exists.

My experience with the ICLS has been very useful so far.

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Tommy Hankinson (Sydney, Australia)

Associate Member

My experience with the ICLS has been very useful so far. It is incredibly valuable to have access to a large number of manufacturers, and their representatives. Combine this with the very active and collaborative, community that are always willing to help with issues or challenges that may arise on set. I look forward to the future and watching the ICLS grow.

Being an ICLS member is another milestone in my career and I’m very grateful and proud to be a small part of it.

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Matthias Ganster (Vienna, Austria)

Associate Member

When I heard about the ICLS community from a fellow Gaffer and long time friend of mine, I immediately wanted to know more and what it’s all about. At first glance I didn’t even realise that this is the place to be if you want to be part of something truly special and unique. A community of full-fledged Filmmakers from allover the globe who share their stories, knowledge and experiences with the others. Since I’ve been accepted to become an associate member of ICLS in 2023, I´ve been genuinely enjoying all the interactions with fellow members and I immediately felt welcomed. It´s like being part of a big strong family. Being an ICLS member is another milestone in my career and I’m very grateful and proud to be a small part of it. These days the lighting industry is evolving so quickly and we got so many wonderful tools at our disposal that sometimes i feel like i am in a candy store when looking at new innovations. I could go on forever but to sum it up: I love my job and I’m looking forward to many more interesting projects and meeting new people who share the same passion.

By supporting ICLS we support evolving the craft by sharing knowledge!

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Jakob Ballinger (Founder of Lightbridge, Austria)

Corporate Member

By supporting ICLS we support evolving the craft by sharing knowledge but at the same time we get the industries support of the best to improve our products. Truly an honor to be a part of such an important project.

We are now united worldwide, which I find to be a great idea.

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Janosch Voss (Berlin, Germany)

Full Member

I am very happy to have the opportunity to be part of such a special group. One has to imagine the collective knowledge and vast wealth of experience that exists within this group, Which one can tap into as a member and participate in. That is something very special. We are now united worldwide, which I find to be a great idea.

Being part of ICLS has empowered me to stay ahead in our dynamic field.

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Morty Petersen (California, USA)

Associate Member

My journey with ICLS has been nothing short of transformative, catapulting my expertise and connections within the cinema lighting industry to unparalleled heights. Being part of ICLS has empowered me to stay ahead in our dynamic field, ensuring I am always on top of the latest products and innovations. The direct access to a global network of the world’s finest cinema lighting professionals has been invaluable. Through ICLS, I have had the privilege of engaging in enriching dialogues, sharing insights, and learning from the best in the business. This unique ecosystem fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration that is rare to find elsewhere.

Moreover, ICLS has served as an indispensable research hub for me. Whether I am looking for the latest trends, technical solutions, or creative inspiration, ICLS’s resources have been a cornerstone of my professional development. Contributing to this vibrant community has also been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to share my expertise and give back to the industry that has given me so much. In a world where staying ahead means having the right connections and access to cutting-edge information, ICLS has been my secret weapon. The support, knowledge, and opportunities I have gained as an Associate Member are truly priceless.

Attached is a photo of me with my parallel Rigging Gaffer during our time in South Korea for the filming of ‘Black Panther.’ In this picture, I’m the one standing up, capturing a moment of our collaboration and dedication to excellence in cinema lighting. It’s a testament to the global scale of our work and the innovative techniques we employ in the field. Being part of such projects and the International Cinema Lighting Society (ICLS) has been immensely rewarding. I am proud to contribute to this distinguished community and its growth, bringing forward the skills and experiences gained from working on international blockbuster productions.

Having direct access to end users in such a forum for feedback is a great part of being an ICLS member.

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Simon Evans (General Manager of Sumolight, UK)

Corporate Member

Having direct access to end users in such a forum for feedback is a great part of being an ICLS member. Add in the virtual tradeshows, the get together socials at actual tradeshows and the 1:1 opportunity to access such a global peer group makes membership a very powerful product innovation and development tool

Thanks to ICLS, we feel even closer to the community, although we all live and work all over the world.

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Raphael Kiesel (Senior Vice President, ARRI Group, Germany)

Corporate Member

Proud sponsors of the ICLS, ARRI is deeply grateful for the invaluable lessons learned from this distinguished community.

The constant exchange of feedback, daily life experiences and new ideas – virtually and especially in person – really helps to understand the diverse needs on set.

Thanks to ICLS, we feel even closer to the community, although we all live and work all over the world.

Becoming a Member Associate from ICLS has helped me grow as a professional.

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Gonzalo Parra (Miami, USA)

Associate Member

Joining the ICLS has allowed me to evolve from having a glimpse into the future of Lighting Technology to interact with those who develop it; and has grant me the opportunity to be part of a selected group of professionals who share their personal knowledge of this craft without ranks. Becoming a Member Associate from ICLS has helped me grow as a professional.

ICLS has created a community feeling like a family.

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Grant Valentine (Atlanta, USA)

Full Member

ICLS has created a community feeling like a family, providing support and training for its members to help mold the future of the industry.