About

The Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective (IWCC) is a community of women, non-binary, and gender-diverse cinematographers and camera professionals across India, brought together by a shared commitment to the craft of image-making and to one another.

We believe that cinematography grows through conversation. Every frame is shaped by collaboration between artists, technicians, crews, and creative partners. In the same spirit, IWCC exists as a space where practitioners can learn from one another, exchange ideas, celebrate each other’s work, and build lasting professional relationships.

Our members work across feature films, documentaries, advertising, television, independent cinema, digital media, and emerging forms of visual storytelling. Together, they represent a wide range of artistic voices, technical expertise, and lived experiences, united by a belief that excellence in cinematography is strengthened by diversity of perspective.

IWCC is more than a professional network. It is a collective that champions curiosity over competition, collaboration over isolation, and the open exchange of knowledge. Through conversations, workshops, screenings, peer-led learning, and industry partnerships, we continue to create opportunities for creative and technical dialogue while contributing to the evolving landscape of cinematography in India.

We also believe that the future of cinematography depends on who feels they belong behind the camera. By fostering an inclusive community and making the work of our members more visible, we hope to encourage more women and gender-diverse practitioners to see cinematography not only as a possible career, but as a place where they can shape the future of visual storytelling.

As our community continues to grow, so does our belief that meaningful change comes not from individual achievement alone, but from what we create together.

Our Story

The idea for the Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective began with conversations between two pioneering women cinematographers, Fowzia Fathima and Priya Seth.

Over the years, both had experienced the relative invisibility of women behind the camera, despite knowing and meeting many talented women working in cinematography. Fowzia, who was also teaching cinematography, had seen first-hand the number of young women entering the field. The question was simple: if there were so many of us, why did we not know one another?

In December 2014, Fowzia met Pooja Gupte after a screening at Kairali Theatre and spoke to her about the idea of creating a space where women cinematographers could come together, exchange creative and technical knowledge, and support one another. A few months later, on 13 March 2015, Fowzia created a Facebook group and page called the Association of Indian Women Cinematographers. The response was immediate. Within days, more than forty women cinematographers from across the country had joined.

What began as an online group soon became a much larger conversation. Priya Seth, Deepti Gupta, Savita Singh, Pooja Gupte and several other early members began contributing to discussions around what this community could become. Over the next two years, a series of meetings, conversations and brainstorming sessions helped shape its vision and structure.

In February 2017, the group evolved from the Association of Indian Women Cinematographers to Indian Women DPs, and finally to the Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective (IWCC). A WhatsApp group was created on 16 February 2017, making it easier for members to connect and communicate. On 8 March 2017, IWCC was officially launched with a website and press release.

The launch was made possible through the collective efforts of its early members, including Vatsala Goel, Pooja Gupte, Anshu, Divyata Gogia, Neha Parti Matiyani, Devu Narayan and many others. The first General Body Meeting was held on 16 April 2017, with 24 members in attendance, setting the direction for the years that followed.

From the beginning, IWCC was conceived as a space for conversation, exchange and collective learning. Over the years, this has taken many forms: workshops, talks, screenings, peer-learning initiatives and collaborations with organisations and industry partners including ZEISS, RED, Sony, Hollyland and FutureWorks. These interactions have brought members together not only to learn about equipment and technique, but to talk about the craft, the industry and the experiences that shape the work we do.

The Collective has continued to evolve with its members. Between 2020 and 2025, IWCC organised a range of workshops and conversations, expanding opportunities for artistic and technical exchange. In 2024, the Collective also undertook a peer-review process as part of its website update, with members volunteering their time to review the work of newer practitioners and help create a more representative platform for the community.

In April 2025, IWCC unveiled a refreshed visual identity and website, reflecting the growth of the Collective and its evolving presence within the industry. The work of building and maintaining the community has always been shared across its members,from organising conversations and reviewing portfolios to maintaining its digital presence and creating opportunities for members to meet and learn from one another.

What began with a conversation between two cinematographers has grown into a community of practitioners from across India, at different stages of their careers and with very different approaches to the craft.

The Collective continues to be guided by the same spirit with which it began: illuminating the way forward with community conversations.