Venezuelan born Cinematographer, Producer and Photographer, Rafael has emerged as a refreshing young talent at the forefront of the European independent cinema. His ever-growing love for image-making and storytelling has lead him to photograph over twenty short films, seven documentaries, and a feature-length film.

 

Before settling to New York City, Rafael began his journey working as an apprentice to the legendary Venezuelan photographer, Oswaldo Blanco. Here he learned the traditional language of black & white darkroom photography. Rafael then made the leap to England to pursue a career in cinematography and enrolled in a masters program at London Film School where he also served as the Head of the Photographic Society. In his final year at school, Rafael was mentored by the renowned English cinematographer, Oliver Stapleton who aided in the transition from of being a student to a working professional. In the following years, Rafael moved to Milan, Italy where he joined creative collaborations as a cinematographer to shoot well-known artists in the fashion and design world such as Greta Boldini, PP Møbler, Jasper Morrison, DAMn ° magazine, among others.

 

Rafael recently completed his first feature film, entitled Kurt (dir: Michael Perrone). The film explores the rise and fall of one model’s career through the eyes of a famous yet fading photographer. It stars Matthew Lawrence (Mrs. Doubtfire) and Gabriela Quezada Bloomgarden (Schooled), Cara Santana (Santa Clarita Diet) and Reema Sampat (Orange Is the New Black). Kurt was photographed on Kodak super 16mm film and is set to be released in 2020. 

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Highlights of Rafael’s cinematography include:

•   Mr. Turner - title sequences for the Mike Lee feature film - (2015 Academy Awards, 2015 British Academy Awards, 2014 Cannes Film Festival)

•    TAGheuer  - Italian campaign for “Don’t Crack Under Pressure”

•   Currican – Best Short Film at Cans Film Festival in Spain, Primavera Film Festival, Barcelona, 2015 Festival de Málaga Cine Español, 2014 Curtocircuito International Film Festival WINNER, 2014 IBAFF Murcia International Film Festival, 2014 Victoria-Gasteiz Short film

•   Rewind - a short film collaboration with the Canadian electronica band, Holy Fuck (2014 Edinburgh International Film Festival, 2013 CamerImage, The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography)

 

I work worldwide. For all inquiries; medalfio@gmail.com