Frederick Elmes has spent decades crafting some of cinema’s most haunting and beautiful images. The legendary cinematographer has been a leading figure in American independent cinema for over 40 years, serving as the visual architect behind unforgettable films from directors like David Lynch, Jim Jarmusch, and Ang Lee.
Elmes’s career began after meeting Lynch at the American Film Institute, leading to their groundbreaking collaboration on Eraserhead and helping to define Lynch’s distinctive visual language. Elmes’s equally prolific relationship with Jarmusch has flourished across multiple films, with their artistic dialogue continuing in Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, playing at VIFF 2025.
Join us for an intimate conversation with this master craftsman as he explores the art of visual storytelling and the ability to translate directors’ visions into striking visual poetry. Whether capturing Lynch’s dreamlike imagery, Jarmusch’s contemplative landscapes, or Lee’s emotionally nuanced storytelling, Elmes’s work demonstrates how stories can be transformed into unforgettable cinematic experiences.
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Frederick Elmes
Frederick Elmes has been a cinematographer of dramatic feature films, television limited series and commercials for most of his life, and is now living in New York. He was educated at Rochester Institute of Technology, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and the American Film Institute. He has collaborated with directors including David Lynch (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Wild At Heart), John Cassavetes, Ang Lee, Jim Jarmusch, Lisa Cholodenko, Steve Zaillian, Mira Nair, and Charlie Kaufmann. His films have been shown at festivals world wide garnering numerous awards. He is currently teaching at New York University Graduate Film School.
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