Recent industry statistics highlighted by The Guardian, spotlights gender disparities behind the scenes in film. The shocking statistics show a lack of female DOPs and editors working in film worldwide.
“Overall, women accounted for 22% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors and cinematographers working on the 250 top-grossing films, down from 24% in 2022, according to the San Diego State report. And 75% of the top-grossing films employed 10 or more men in key off-camera roles, while just 4% employed 10 or more women.”
At Loop Talent, a female-owned and founded agency, we champion all of our brilliant clients and are proud to represent a diverse list of people across all roles. We are particularly proud to champion women and non-binary people in roles where they’re typically underrepresented – mainly within the camera, sound and lighting departments.
Crew Manager Daisy Stone states ‘As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, representation matters, and I’m proud to manage a diverse and wonderful roster of female & non-binary AC’s, Steadicam operators, DITs, Sound Recordists, Gaffers and Sparks.’
Here we spotlight our female DOPs and editors
Directors of Photography
Birgit ‘Bebe’ Dierken BSC
Birgit is a German, female Director of Photography based between London and Berlin, working across acclaimed international features and high-end television. Bebe has lensed a range of period dramas and contemporary series including ‘Origin’ (Leftbank), ‘Victoria’ (ITV), ‘Troy: Fall of a City‘ (BBC/Netflix) and ‘Sexy Beast‘ for Paramount + where Bebe crafted the iconic dress scene. Her feature credits include ‘Midas Man’ and ‘Doctor Jekyll’, both directed by Joe Stephenson. Bebe has just wrapped on HETV series ‘The Rapture’ (BBC/Mammoth).
Oona Menges
Oona is a highly experienced and respected Cinematographer whose work spans both award winning television and acclaimed films. Known for her collaborative approach and meticulous attention to creative detail, she brings a strong storytelling sensibility to every project. Her recent television credits include the ITV sitcom ‘Ruby Speaking’, and Apple TV+’s BAFTA-winning ‘Lovely Little Farm’. Her feature work includes ‘LOLA’, a 1940s-set sci-fi thriller directed by Andrew Legge; ‘The Host’, a dark crime horror by longtime collaborator Andy Newbery; and the investigative thriller ‘Social Suicide’. Her further television credits include the acclaimed mini-series ‘Joe All Alone’, which won both a BAFTA and an RTS Award, and the award-winning web drama ‘Different for Girls’. She has also shot a wide range of short films and TV movies, including ‘Moth’ (Man of the House) by O-T Fagbenle and ‘Elen’, directed by Andy Newbery. A dedicated advocate for the industry, Oona is a full member of the BSC, BAFTA, IATSE, BECTU, GBCT, and WFTV. She also serves on the board of the Guild of British Camera Technicians and the British Camera Operator Awards, mentoring emerging talent through ScreenSkills. Before stepping into her role as a DOP, Menges honed her craft across all areas of the camera department, developing the skills that define her work today.
Emma Dalesman
Emma‘s TV credits include ‘Institute‘ for the BBC directed by Amit Lahav, and ‘Good Grief‘ directed by Natalie Abrahami starring Sian Clifford. Her film, ‘Jitterbug’ directed by Ayo Akingbade had its World festival premiere at Directors Fortnight at Cannes in 2022. In film she collaborated with acclaimed director Hansal Mehta on feature ‘Buckingham Murders’ shot on location in the UK and India which recently premiered at the London Film Festival. She has recently wrapped on feature film ‘Grey’ shot on location in Scotland.
Martyna Knitter
Martyna’s portfolio includes TV series ‘Snowspider’ directed by Jennifer Sheridan for the BBC, and the BAFTA-nominated ‘Silverpoint’ series directed by Dan Zeff and Marek Losey for both the BBC and Hulu. In Film, Martyna lensed Jennifer Sheridan’s ‘Rose,’ which was nominated for a BIFA award, and Christian Cooke’s upcoming film ‘Embers’. Most recently Martyna lensed the BBC series ‘A Kind of Spark’ featuring a young, and neurodiverse cast. Martyna has recently been named as a Broadcast Hot Shot for 2023, and featured in the prestigious ‘Meet the New Wave’ article of the BSC Magazine for December 23. She’s soon to wrap on feature ‘Bad Day at the Office’.
Natalja Safranova
Natalja is an NFTS alumni who lensed ‘How To Be A Person‘ which won a BAFTA for best Short Form Programme. Her film ‘Day of The 20,000 Gammon’ was selected for Underwire Film Festival, and her upcoming film ‘The Memory of The Seagulls’ directed by Gabriel Calderwood is currently in post. Natalja’s other credits include BFI funded short film ‘Just Passing’ directed by Sophie Jane Austin.
Editors
Anna Meller
Anna cut the latest series of ‘Staged’ starring David Tennant & Michael Sheen. She also cut Katherine Parkinson’s feature length special ‘Sitting’ for Avalon / BBC, and BBC3’s ‘Wannabe’. Anna’s award winning feature films include ‘Ordinary Failures’ which premiered at Venice Film Festival, Hungarian feature film ‘Things Worth Weeping For’ and upcoming British Indie feature ‘Restless’ from director Jed Hart.
Roberta Bononi BFE
Roberta (Roby) is an Italian editor recent credits include ‘Splitting Image’ and ‘7 Keys’, directed by Joy Wilkinson and produced by Cassandra Sigsgaard and Dylan Rees for Jeva Films, which premiered to rave reviews at SXSW. Other credits include the Italian feature ‘Redenzione’ (Redemption), directed by Maria Martinelli and ‘Trouble Will Find Us’, which won Best UK Feature at Manchester Film Festival. Roby was the UK lead editor on the Dreamworks animated feature film ‘Dogman’. Her many short films have won awards at festivals all over the world.
Claire Pringle
Claire recently cut all episodes of the upcoming original drama ‘Catch Me a Killer’, based on the true story of Micki Pistorius, a former journalist-turned-psychologist, and South Africa’s first serial killer profiler. Claire’s other credits include the period drama ‘Agatha and the Truth of Murder’, and feature films ‘And Then Come The Nightjars’ & ‘Wreckers’ starring Claire Foy & Benedict Cumberbatch.
Galina Chakarova
Galina is recently edited the highly anticipated drama ‘Queenie’, based on Candice Carty-Williams’ novel. Her other recent TV credits include the latest series of ‘Extraordinary’ for Disney, upcoming BBC Drama ‘Grime Kids’, and ‘Rain Dogs’ produced by Sid Gentle for HBO/ BBC. Prior to this, Galina cut Sid Gentle’s ‘Ragdoll’, and assembly edited Hugo Blick’s ‘The English’ for Amazon Studios, as well as assisting on projects such as ‘The Crown’, ‘Hanna’ and the Tim Burton’s ‘Wednesday’.
Lindsey Dillon-Massey
Lindsey is a highly experienced Editor who is a Governor of the Board of BFE (British Film Editors). Predominantly working in HETV, Lindsey’s credits include ‘The Lazarus Project’ for Sky/Urban Myth, ‘Better’ with Sister Pictures & ITV’s ‘The Bay’. Her other credits include established dramas such as ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, ‘Ackley Bridge’ & ‘The Syndicate’ with Kay Mellor’s Rollem Productions. Lindsey cut the 90min period special ‘The Village’, which was nominated for BAFTA Best Drama Series.
Hettie Griffiths
Hettie is a London-based Editors primarily working in scripted comedy. Her credits include all episodes of ‘We Might Regret This’ S1 produced by Roughcut for BBC. Hettie has also cut ITV’s ‘Count Abdulla’, Comedy Central’s ‘East Mode with Nigel Ng’ and BBC Studios pilot ‘Break Clause’. Other credits include Rosie Jones’ ‘Trip Hazard’ and Munya Chawawa’s ‘Race Around Britain’.