Bongani Mlambo is a cinematographer based in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, an introspective child whose imagination blossomed into a curiosity and quest for truth and meaning that have defined his life and art.
Bongani loves to tell visually creative and compelling stories that are meaningful and authentic and seeks to blur the lines between memories, experiences, perspectives, and imagination. He is a storyteller above all else, applying his artistic sensibilities and attention to detail to narrative projects and commercials, moving seamlessly between both worlds.
His recent projects include features, We're All Gonna Die by Rocketjump duo Freddie Wong and Matt Arnold; All Creatures directed by Collin Schiffli, starring David Dastmalchian (Suicide Squad, Blade Runner 2049, The Dark Knight) and Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy, Jumanji, Doctor Who); The Virgin of Highland Park by Sonia Sebastian, starring Penelope Ann Miller and Dermot Mulroney; Three Days In August by Johnathan Brownlee; and Upstream Color by Shane Carruth.
More recently, Bongani’s credits also include The Hair Tales TV series by Tracee Ellis Ross and Michaela Angela Davis for OWN, Onyx Collective, and Hulu; Waffles and Mochi Holiday Feast special for Netflix and the Obama’s Higher Ground production company; and Dot and Brie Talk TV on Hulu.
He has also filmed numerous commercials, short films, music videos, and television, working with talent such as Oprah Winfrey, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, Chloe Bailey, Chika, Morgan Freeman, Constance Wu, Anthony Mackie, Helen Mirren, Serena Williams, Blue October, Jabari Banks, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Lance Gross, Diarra Kilpatrick, Sherman Augustus, Prema Cruz, Kirsten Dunst, and Samin Nusrat.
He has collaborated with brands such as Dove, State Farm, Hasbro, Instagram, BET, Adidas, Lexus, Buick, JCPenney, Goodyear, Mary Kay, Nike, Southwest Airlines, Gearbox, Ubisoft, Ford, Mazda, Peacock, Everlane, Kinly, Midwest Bank, and Google Quantum.
Bongani’s work as director of photography has screened and won awards at South By Southwest (SXSW), The International Cinematographer’s Guild Emerging Cinematographer Awards, The Tellys, the NBCUniversal Short Film Festival, Cannes International Series Festival, Fantastic Fest, Cucalorus, Idyllwild, Hollyshorts, Urbanworld Film Festival, LA Shorts Fest and numerous others.
He is also a 2018 Film Independent Project Involve Fellow and has supported and collaborated with filmmakers in Disney Launchpad, WarnerMedia OneFifty, Netflix Emerging Filmmaker Initiative, Film Independent’s Global Media Makers, and Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. Bongani is an advocate for and believes in diversity and inclusion in front of and behind the lens.
Beyond his filmmaking pursuits, Bongani loves to dance, drum, dj, play tennis, and ponder on social issues and the meaning of life. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and talents and plans to establish arts & film workshops, programs, and residencies in Zimbabwe, with the intention of guiding and inspiring the next generation of Africans to tell stories and pursue their dreams in the visual and performing arts.
Cameras:
Arri Alexa Mini (w/Open Gate, 4:3, Arriraw, batteries, cards, shoulder rig, et al)
Lenses:
Leica-R Set (19mm f2.8, 24mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f2, 90mm f2.8, 135mm f2.8)
AKS:
Ergorig Rig, Backstage Camera Cart, Atomos Shogun, Hazer, et cetera
Local 600: Roster | Los Angeles
Contact:
bongani@bongaj.com
214-886-0288
IMDB