ABOUT
Dillon M. Banda (born Magare Banda) is a film director and cinematographer. Dillon most recently won the awards for ‘Best Cinematography’ at the 2019 Oregon Documentary Film Festival, and 'Best Cinematography' at the 2019 Independent Horror Movie Awards, for his short documentary film Belong and the short film / music video Disinter respectively. He was also recently nominated for 'Best Cinematography' at Tokyo's 2019 Genre Celebration Festival, and selected as a finalist at the 2020 New York Cinematography Awards, both for Disinter.
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 director of 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.
PRESS / INTERVIEWS
'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
'Afterglow', Daily Short Pick, Film Shortage, 05.04.2014
AWARDS / SCREENINGS / EXHIBITIONS
2019 Oregon Documentary Film Festival, Winner of 'Best Cinematography', 'Belong' [Short Film, 2019]
2019 Independent Horror Movie Awards, Winner of 'Best Cinematography' and 'Best Music', 'Disinter' [Short Film, 2019]
2020 New York Cinematography Awards, Finalist, 'Disinter' [Short Film, 2019]
2019 Genre Celebration Festival, Official Selection and nominated for 'Best Cinematography' and 'Best Horror Short', 'Disinter' [Short Film, 2019]
2019 Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival, Official Selection, 'Disinter' [Short Film, 2019]
2018 FilmBath Festival, Official Selection, 'Spirit' [Short Film, 2018]
All Animals are Equal, Group Exhibition, 'Spirit' [Short Film, 2018]
Future Shorts Spring Season 2018, Screening, 'Spirit' [Short Film, 2018]
2018 Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market, Selection, 'Ghosts' [Short Film, 2018]
For Lack of a Better World, Screening, 'Ghosts' [Short Film, 2017]
Italian Legacy / Italian Heritage, Screening, 'The Feeling' [Brand Film, 2016]
Impressions Short Film Festival, Special Selection, 'Afterglow' [Short Film, 2014]
Off Courts Trouville Short Film Market, Selection, 'Afterglow' [Short Film, 2014]
Viewster Online Film festival, Official Selection, 'Afterglow' [Short Film, 2014]
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
Nha Xinh Furniture
Cabrits Resort Kempinski
Sony Music Entertainment
European Chamber of Commerce