Coffee & TV Hosts 'The Art of Colour and Light' Empowering Female Filmmakers

​Nurturing the next generation of filmmaking talent always works best when people come together, share stories, and build community. That’s why Coffee & TV partnered with Girls in Film, a platform that represents, champions, and connects the new generation of women, non-binary, and trans creatives in the film industry, to host The Art of Colour and Light, a panel event offering insight into the creative careers and influences of three established female filmmakers.

​Hosted at Coffee & TV’s London studio, the panel featured director/photographer Emma Dalzell-Khan, cinematographer Claire Pie, and colourist Simona Cristea. All three women have collaborated on a variety of commercial projects, each bringing their own unique sensibilities and skillsets. They came together to discuss their work, creative processes, and the importance of colour and light in visual storytelling for an audience of upcoming filmmakers navigating their early years in the industry. 

Having worked as the first assistant to renowned photographer Tim Walker for seven years, Emma spoke about how Walker’s ability to tell stories through still images and his innovative approach to creating magical, surreal worlds left a lasting impact on her work. Cinematographer Claire Pie shared how she started out as an assistant camera operator, her initial shyness behind the camera and how she used photography, particularly shooting with 35mm film, to build her confidence. A key influence for Claire has been photographer Saul Leiter, whose distinctive use of colour, texture, and emotional depth continues to shape her work. Colourist Simona Cristea, spoke about her background in fine art and how this has influenced her work in colour grading. Initially studying to become a painter, Simona transitioned into colour grading, where she draws inspiration from art history and painters like Vermeer, whose mastery of light has been a key influence for her.

The panellists reflected on the power of colour and light to shape both the emotional and narrative aspects of a film or photo shoot. Whether it was the soft, romantic tones used in the Jo Malone project or the raw, ungraded look of Taxi Driver referenced by Simona, the speakers emphasised how these visual elements are essential to the storytelling process. The panel concluded with a discussion about the importance of working with a supportive team and how collaboration, particularly among women in the industry, can lead to creative harmony.

The engaged audience asked some really thought provoking questions that opened up even more discussion and after the talk were able to network and meet their peers, whilst tucking into popcorn drinks provided by event sponsors Universal Production Music.

Coffee & TV will continue to provide a space for fresh talent and artists to thrive and support one another. Keep an eye out on social for future ‘The Art of...’ events.