Biography

Emilia Mendieta Córdova is a Director of Photography with a passion for bold visual storytelling. She is a graduate of Vassar College and has an MFA in cinematography from the AFI Conservatory. Emilia is a three-time Women in Media Altitude Awards for excellence in camera and lighting semi-finalist, was part of the 2023-2024 ASC Vision Mentorship Program, and is a Cinematography Fellow in the Inaugural 2023 WIF Artisan and Crew Fellowships. Emilia has lensed award-winning films that have screened at the LALIFF, Tallgrass, LA Shorts, UrbanWorld, BOGOSHORTS, Salute Your Shorts, LAIFF, Portland Film Festival, Cinequest, and the CineGear Film Series. Among her notable collaborations include the LFI Inclusion Fellowship shorts HIGH BEAM and TRENDING, AGUAMADRE from Season 2 of the Walmart x Mitú Fellowhip, Mark S. Allen’s feature directing debut AMY’S F-IT LIST and over 16 award-winning music video collaborations with Charley Young. Emilia also shot a short-form food show and PROMAX-nominated promos for ABC10 (KXTV). Emilia has worked as an educator - teaching or guest lecturing at the AFI Conservatory, USFQ, UDLA, University of New Orleans and California State University - Northridge. She has also provided mentorship for youth filmmaking programs such as the Youth Cinema Project, the Michael’s Daughter Foundation, and the Sunrise Art Group. She previously worked at the AFI Conservatory where she helped run the 35mm Visual Essay Program and the Cinematography Intensive for Women Program. While Emilia works primarily as a Cinematographer, she is also currently one of the hosts of The ICF⁺C’s Podcast. Emilia is multilingual (English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese), a classically-trained cellist, amateur Astrophotographer, culinary arts enthusiast, and a massive Star Wars fan. She is also a Part 107 FAA Certified Drone pilot. Emilia is a member of the ICF⁺C (International Community of Female⁺ Cinematographers), the Chicana Directors Initiative, WIF, Women In Media, and NALIP.

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