Akanksha Shyam is an LA-based cinematographer from India. She started her career in regional television and corporate films and has focused on returning to narrative film since 2019. She became a JN Tata Scholar in 2019 and earned an MFA in cinematography at the American Film Institute in 2021.
She has now shot over 15 narrative films. She is driven towards surrealism and poetic storytelling and enjoys finding a balance between telling meaningful stories while also pushing boundaries. In 2020, she was recognized as an international talent by the BAFTA Newcomer Program. Her film AFLOAT (2022) has screened around the world including at the Independent Silent Film Festival 2022 and the Golden State Film Festival 2023. She was also conferred the NYCA Best Cinematography Award for the film in 2022 among others. Her recent films CAIRN (2023) and INFINITY! (2023) are currently in the festival circuit at Davey Fest 2023, LA Shorts Fest 2023, and the DC Asian Pacific American Festival 2023.
Press
We Are Moving Stories - Interview on Afloat (2021)
Screendaily - BAFTA Announcement
Affiliations
ICF*C | BAFTA Connect | AFI
Awards
Best USA Cinematography - Afloat (2022) - New York Cinematography Awards 2022
Best Director of Photography - Afloat (2022) - Corsenal Production Monthly International Film Festival 2022
Best Student Cinematography - Afloat (2022) - Los Angeles Cinematography Awards 2022