Summary
- American Cinematographer selected nine Rising Stars of Cinematography for 2026
- The list includes Alex Ashe, Matheus Bastos, Sam Davis, Alexandre Nour Desjardins, Juliette Lossky, Idan Menin, Lidia Nikonova, Rayana Rasamee and Jay Swuen
- Their backgrounds range from photography and lighting to documentary work, music and graphic design
- 16mm and 35mm film remain strongly present in the work of several of this year's Rising Stars
- The American Cinematographer Rising Stars program has been running since 2017
American Cinematographer has selected nine Rising Stars of Cinematography for 2026. Meet the filmmakers and find their websites and Instagram accounts.
English image caption
American Cinematographer’s nine Rising Stars of Cinematography for 2026 represent a new generation working across narrative cinema, documentaries, commercials and music videos.
English Content
Lead
American Cinematographer has selected nine emerging cinematographers as its 2026 Rising Stars of Cinematography, highlighting a new generation whose paths span photojournalism, 16mm and 35mm film, documentaries, music videos and narrative features.
Alex Ashe, Matheus Bastos, Sam Davis, Alexandre Nour Desjardins, Juliette Lossky, Idan Menin, Lidia Nikonova, Rayana Rasamee and Jay Swuen were selected by American Cinematographer’s editors together with a group of ASC members.
The Rising Stars program has operated since 2017 and aims to identify cinematographers whose careers are gathering momentum rather than simply reward a single film.
Rayana Rasamee
Rayana Rasamee followed an unusual route into cinematography, moving from criminal-justice studies and the technology industry into photography and filmmaking.
Her work includes Ugly Sweater and Spiral Into the Yellow Void, while she continues to embrace 35mm film.
Website:
https://rayana.co/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rayana/
Alexandre Nour Desjardins
Canadian cinematographer Alexandre Nour Desjardins combines independent filmmaking with unusually detailed preparation.
His short Invincible received an Academy Award nomination, while Nina Roza later competed at the Berlinale and won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay.
Website:
https://alexandrenour.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alexandre_nour/
Lidia Nikonova
Lidia Nikonova has a background in still photography and photojournalism that strongly informs her approach to framing and composition.
Her work includes music videos for artists such as Lil Yachty, King Princess and The Weeknd, as well as Bama Rush, Family Portrait and Night Nurse.
Website:
https://lidianikonova.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lidia__nikonova/
Matheus Bastos
Matheus Bastos came to filmmaking through music, and rhythm remains central to the way he thinks about scenes and lighting.
Gazer was photographed on 16mm over approximately two and a half years on a microbudget before premiering in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
Website:
https://www.matheusbastos.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/matheusbastos_dp/
Jay Swuen
Born in China, Jay Swuen initially explored image-making through graphic design before turning to cinema after moving to the United States.
His work spans narrative films, documentaries, commercials and music videos.
Website:
https://www.jayswuen.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jayswuen/
Juliette Lossky
Juliette Lossky grew up in southern France and studied film at Concordia University in Montreal.
Mentorship from André Turpin played an important role in her development. She has since worked across music videos, documentaries, shorts and narrative features.
Website:
https://www.juliettelossky.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/juliette.lossky/
Sam Davis
Sam Davis began making videos with his high school’s football camera before working as a camera assistant and moving into cinematography.
His credits include Period. End of Sentence., Long Line of Ladies, Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó and Dìdi. In 2026, he won the Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film for The Singers, which he directed and photographed.
Website:
https://www.samdavis.co/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/samdavis/
Idan Menin
Idan Menin is particularly interested in intimate character stories told on a large cinematic canvas.
His recent work includes Lost on a Mountain in Maine and Bullet Catch, while he also contributed additional cinematography to Adam Wingard’s Onslaught.
Website:
https://www.idanmenin.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/idanmenin/
Alex Ashe
Alex Ashe spent more than a decade working in New York’s lighting departments before moving fully into cinematography.
His recent films include The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire, photographed on 16mm, and Peter Hujar’s Day.
Website:
https://alexmashe.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alexmashe/
What the 2026 group has in common
The 2026 roster demonstrates how varied the path into cinematography can be.
Its members come from photography, photojournalism, lighting, design, music, documentaries, commercials and music videos. Film also remains notably present, with 16mm and 35mm continuing to function as active creative tools rather than nostalgic novelties.
ASC invests in the next generation
The 2026 Rising Stars were celebrated at the ASC Clubhouse, where many of them met ASC members and other professionals from across the cinematography industry.
The program has operated since 2017, and previous Rising Stars have gone on to high-profile productions, with some later becoming ASC members.
What we think
The Rising Stars list is more revealing than a conventional ranking of emerging talent because it also says something about the profession itself.
There is no single route into cinematography. A career can begin in photojournalism, lighting, documentaries, music videos or a small independent production photographed on film.
What connects many of this year’s names is that technique is not treated as the objective. Cameras, lenses, film stocks and lighting are tools used in service of story and emotion.
These nine names are therefore worth remembering — and their portfolios are worth exploring. The American Cinematographer list provides a useful opportunity not only to discover who they are, but also to see how differently each of them approaches cinematic imagery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Rising Stars of Cinematography?
They are American Cinematographer’s annual selection, made with the participation of ASC members, highlighting emerging cinematographers with particularly promising careers.
When did the program begin?
The Rising Stars of Cinematography program began in 2017.
Who are the 2026 Rising Stars?
Alex Ashe, Matheus Bastos, Sam Davis, Alexandre Nour Desjardins, Juliette Lossky, Idan Menin, Lidia Nikonova, Rayana Rasamee and Jay Swuen.
