Oleksandr Zemlyanyy

Oleksandr Zemlyanyy is an LA-based Director of Photography (DP) from Ukraine. He has lensed 10 feature films, over 15 TV series, as well as numerous commercials, music videos, and documentaries. He recently wrapped production on his first American film, Bonding, a $2 million feature starring Jefferson White, Gloria Reuben, and Tate Donovan. In addition, he just finished shooting a low-budget experimental film titled 28, directed by Rainier Rubin, which was filmed on an iPhone 16 Pro Max. This project utilizes AI, with all the characters—except for the two main protagonists—being animated.

His first film, The Nest of the Turtledove, achieved significant success in Ukraine, winning the main award at the Odesa International Film Festival and receiving six awards from the Ukrainian Film Academy. With his second film, he began a long-term collaboration with Georgian director Zaza Buadze. Together, they have created five films, and one of their recent works, Mother of the Apostles, has received 69 international awards.

He was awarded as Best Cinematographer

– Ontario International Film Festival
– Freedom Festival International
– Silk Road Film Awards Cannes
– Paris Film Awards

Following the success of his early feature films, he transitioned into music video production, collaborating with one of Ukraine’s most renowned directors, Alan Badoev. Together, they created compelling visuals for numerous music artists, and in 2018, Oleksandr won the Best Cinematographer award at the M1 Music Awards.

Oleksandr grew up influenced by his father, a documentary cinematographer, who instilled in him a passion for the craft and a deep understanding of photography. After working for several years in television, he pursued formal studies in cinematography at Kyiv University of Culture and Arts and later at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow.

Throughout his career, he has remained committed to continuous learning and professional growth. He believes that cinema is not just a profession but a calling—one that demands constant innovation and passion. Driven by the desire to tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences, Oleksandr continues to explore new creative horizons through his work.