Sunny Joseph

Sunny Joseph, is an Indian cinematographer, film maker, and educator with a rich and diverse background in the film industry. Graduated from FTII, Pune, in 1983 with a Diploma in Motion Picture Photography, Sunny embarked on a career that has spanned over four decades. Since 1987, Sunny has contributed significantly to the Indian Film Industry, working as a cinematographer for more than sixty feature films in twelve languages. He has also directed more than ten short films and two television serials, totaling 100 episodes – in which he also took up the roles of scriptwriter, and editor. In 1999, Sunny joined as an observer in the production unit of Krzysztof Zanussi, during the filming of 'Death as a Fatal Sexually Transmitted Disease,' in Poland.

During last four decades, Sunny has conducted workshops and seminars in Kerala, India, and abroad. From 2005 to 2020, he served as a full-time teacher and Creative Consultant at LV Prasad Film & TV Academy, Chennai. He was the HOD, Cinematography Department, and later served as HOD, Direction Department. Sunny's academic leadership continued as the Academic Director and HOD Cinematography of Revathy Kalamandir Film Academy, Trivandrum (2014-2019). He later assumed the role of Dean at KRNNIVSA, Kottayam, from March 2019 to December 2019. Currently, he holds the position of Dean of Studies, at St. Joseph’s College of Communication, Media Village, Changanaserry.

As a member of various prestigious film-related organizations, including President/Managing Trustee of ISC (Indian Society of Cinematographers), Member of the General Council of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, and as a Board Member of Kerala State Film Development Corporation, Sunny Joseph has been actively involved in shaping the industry. His international exposure includes serving on juries at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Imago International Awards For Cinematography, NETPAC Chairman at the 3rd International Film Festival & Awards, Macau, and Eurasia International Film Festival, Kazakhstan, and Jury member at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, France and various other film festivals globally.

Sunny's contributions extend beyond the camera, as he has presented papers at international conferences, delivered lectures, and participated in film-related committees and boards. He has also showcased his directorial skills with films like 'The Clown and the Dog’, 'Tharangam'. Recently Sunny made his debut film as a director – THE SALT OF THE EARTH, which was screened in Kolkata IFF, Moscow IFF, Ajanta-Ellora IFF, Nepal IFF and other film festivals. Awards and festivals have recognized Sunny's excellence, including the National Film Award for Best Experimental Film for 'The Clown and the Dog' in 1984 and the KW Joseph National Award for the Debut films at TIFF, Kerala for “Salt Of The Earth’ in 2022. He has also won Kerala State Film Awards for Best Colour Photography, three times and TV Award for Best Videography twice. Sunny was also bestowed with the Lakshmi Devi Memorial National award for Excellence in Cinematography, in 2008. His commitment to cinema is complemented by his dedication to education, mentoring, and contributing to the growth of the industry.