Louis Brennan is a London based cinematographer working across narrative film, commercials, music videos, and documentary. His work is rooted in story led visual language — using light, movement, and composition to shape emotion, performance, and atmosphere rather than surface style.

His films have screened internationally, including at Berlinale, BFI London Film Festival, and Edinburgh International Film Festival. His latest short film Gently premiered at the BFI and is set to stream on Disney+, while another recent short, Mandroid, was shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival.

Louis is currently shooting a long form documentary with ambitions for the Sundance Film Festival, alongside a forthcoming observational project exploring female led body movement and female and transgender physical expression — rooted in intimacy, presence, and physical truth.

His visual approach spans naturalistic, organic imagery through to heightened realism and moments of surrealism. He works fluidly across formats, recently shooting with virtual production volumes alongside 16mm film — embracing both emerging technologies and traditional craft in service of story.

He is equally comfortable operating in high pressure, uncontrolled environments. His documentary work has included handheld, reactive shooting in live fire conditions, demanding instinctive decision making, physical awareness, and total trust in the moment.

Louis thrives in close collaboration with directors and creatives pushing form — working across gritty realism, poetic abstraction, and dreamlike narrative spaces.

Awards & Recognition

• Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), 2018

  Special Mention — Crystal Bear for Best Short Film (Generation Kplus Children’s Jury)

Selected Festivals

• BFI London Film Festival — Premiere (Gently)

• Edinburgh International Film Festival

• Bolton International Film Festival

• Cannes Film Festival — Shortlisted (Mandroid)