ABOUT
Dillon M. Banda (born Magare Banda) is a film director and cinematographer who has most recently won the award for Best International Director at the 2020 Oregon Documentary Film Festival with his short documentary film 'Ashima', as well as being shortlisted for 4 Berlin Commercial Awards with the same film. Dillon also previously won the award for Best Cinematography at the 2019 Oregon Documentary Film Festival, with his short documentary film 'Belong'.
Born in Zambia, raised between Europe and Africa, and now living in Asia, Dillon brings a unique sensibility and heightened cultural sensitivity to his work. A love for analogue photography continues to hone his eye and inform the keen attention to cinematography and composition that typifies his films. His films also often blur the line between narrative and documentary, albeit with a consistently cinematic aesthetic.
Dillon studied music technology with digital arts at the University of Hull in Northern England, graduating with a B.A.(Hons). From 2014 to 2017 he served as the founder and lead creative at Lekker, the filmmaking collective headquartered in Hong Kong, and is also the co-founder of SoundChips, the place for social, cultural and critical commentary inspired by music.
AWARDS / NOMINATIONS / FESTIVALS
2020
Oregon Documentary Film Festival - Winner of Best International Director - 'Ashima'
Berlin Commercial Awards - Shortlisted for the Cultural Impact, Cinematography, Unscripted and New Generation awards - 'Ashima'
Georgia Documentary Film Festival - Nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Documentary Film - 'Belong'
Summer in the South Film Festival - Nominated for Best Documentary - 'Spirit'
Georgia Shorts Film Festival - Nominated for Best International Film - 'Spirit'
Georgia Shorts Film Festival - Official Selection - 'Belong'
Buenos Aires International Documentary Film Festival (FIDBA) - Official Selection - 'Spirit'
Birmingham Southern College's Inaugural Hilltop Film Festival - Official Selection - 'Ashima'
Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles - Official Selection - 'Ashima'
2019
Oregon Documentary Film Festival - Winner of Best Cinematography - 'Belong'
Independent Horror Movie Awards - Winner of Best Cinematography and Best Music - 'Disinter'
Tokyo Genre Celebration Festival - Nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Horror Short - 'Disinter'
Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival - Official Selection - 'Disinter'
New York Cinematography Awards - Finalist - 'Disinter'
2018
FilmBath Festival - Official Selection - 'Spirit'
All Animals are Equal - Group Exhibition - 'Spirit'
Future Shorts Spring Season 2018 - Screening - 'Spirit'
For Lack of a Better World - Screening - 'Ghosts'
PRESS / INTERVIEWS
'Ashima', Daily Short Pick, Film Shortage, 28.10.2020
Comienza el FOCO EVOLUCIÓN, Revista Caligari, 02.09.2020
'Ashima' by Dillon M. Banda, Beyond the Short, 27.08.2020
'Ashima' by Dillon M. Banda, Booooooom, 24.08.2020
'Spirit', Our Favorite Documentary Short Picks of 2018, Film Shortage, 02.04.2019
How We Live Now, 'Belong', SoundChips, 22.03.2019
'Spirit' director Dillon M. Banda on his personal watershed moment and how it transpired into a wonderful onscreen outpour, Indie Shorts Mag, 08.10.2018
'Spirit', Review, Indie Shorts Mag, 23.07.2018
'Spirit', Daily Short Pick, Film Shortage, 07.07.2018
'Spirit', Directors Notes, 12.06.2018
'Spirit' by Dillon M. Banda, Booooooom, 06.06.2018
Dillon M. Banda embarks on an intimate journey of significant songs and past love in 'Ghosts', Directors Notes, 04.07.2017
How We Live Now, 'Ghosts', SoundChips, 01.06.2017
CLIENTS / COMMISSIONS
Dell
HTC
Mercedes Benz
Dynam Capital
Fashion TV
Indochine Media
The Robb Report
Barcode Magazine
Bellavita Luxury
Eurasia Concept
AA Corporation
Keppel Land
Cabrits Resort Kempinski
Sony Music Entertainment
European Chamber of Commerce