About
VATSALA GOEL is an Indian cinematographer and camera operator based out of San Francisco & LA. Her work spans across documentary, narrative and branded films. Her aesthetic choices and approach are informed by her background in photojournalism and fine-art.
Career highlights include world premiers at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca film festivals, nominations from the Peabody, an Academy Award shortlist, the Shine Award (Blackstar Film Festival) and NAACP Image Award.
She was born and raised in Kolkata, India, and received her MFA in cinematography at the Film and Television Institute, India.
Clients:
Corporate: Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Curology, Patreon, Eventbrite, Sony Documentary and Non-Profit: Netflix, HBO Documentaries, MTV Documentaries, Firelight Films, ITVS, VICE, Refinery29, Tribeca Studios, TIME, Scientific American, The Documentary Group, Working Films, SF Jazz Agency: Culture House, Good Company, Godfrey Dadich Partners, Attn: Inc TV & Broadcast: PBS, CBS, BET, ABC, World Channel, Awesomeness TV
Festival highlights and awards:
“Storming Caesars Palace” was the opening night feature film at Blackstar Film Festival, 2022 (co-DP), it won the Shine Award in competition. “Battleground” premiered in competition at Tribeca Film Festival 2022 (Addnl Cinematography). “Sell/Buy/Date” premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, 2022 (Camera Operator/ LA). “Lynching Postcards: Token of a great day” was nominated for a Peabody Award, shortlisted for the Academy Awards, won a NAACP Image Award, all in 2022, and was selected documentary of the week by WNYC Studios in January 2022 (co-DP). “Aggie”, premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020, and is now streaming on Amazon (co-DP). The narrative short “Blood and Glory” premiered and was nominated for Best Short Film in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival 2020 and won the grand jury prize at WIM’s Camaraderie competition (DP). In 2019, Chromosome 19 and A Tale of Two Kitchens (streaming on Netflix) premiered at Tribeca film festival. “The Train Leaves at Four” was on NFDC Film Bazaar "Viewing Room" list in 2015 and premiered in the “India Story” section at MAMI Film Festival (DP).
Vatsala is a San Francisco based cinematographer and camera operator who was born and raised in Kolkata, India.
12 + years experience in the industry, having worked as a freelancer in the US and India throughout this time.
Background in photojournalism, and often works at the intersection of documentary and narrative filmmaking, fusing the sensibilities and approach in both.
Gravitates toward character driven storytelling.
Who you are : credentials, skillsets, experience
Her work has premiered at prestigious film festivals and venues such as Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Doc Fortnight, Doc NYC, AFI Docs, etc. Her films have been shortlisted for the Academy Awards (2022), received a NAACP image award.
She was born and raised in Kolkata, India. Before turning to film, she cut her teeth as a photojournalist at Forbes India, Mumbai. She received her B.A. with honors in english literature, film studies and journalism at St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta University in 2008, and her M.F.A. in Cinematography at the Film and Television Institute, India in 2013.
What you have done: achievements
Approach: professional approach, life philosophy
Personal interests:
About
Vatsala is a San Francisco based cinematographer and camera operator. Her work spans across documentary, narrative and branded films.
Festival highlights and awards:
“Storming Caesars Palace” was the opening night feature film at Blackstar Film Festival, 2022 (co-DP), it won the Shine Award in competition. “Battleground” premiered in competition at Tribeca Film Festival 2022 (Addnl Cinematography). “Sell/Buy/Date” premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, 2022 (Camera Operator/ LA). “Lynching Postcards: Token of a great day” was nominated for a Peabody Award, shortlisted for the Academy Awards, won a NAACP Image Award, all in 2022, and was selected documentary of the week by WNYC Studios in January 2022 (co-DP). “Aggie”, premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020, and is now streaming on Amazon (co-DP). The narrative short “Blood and Glory” premiered and was nominated for Best Short Film in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival 2020 and won the grand jury prize at WIM’s Camaraderie competition (DP). In 2019, Chromosome 19 and A Tale of Two Kitchens (streaming on Netflix) premiered at Tribeca film festival. “The Train Leaves at Four” was on NFDC Film Bazaar "Viewing Room" list in 2015 and premiered in the “India Story” section at MAMI Film Festival (DP).
Clients:
Corporate: Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Curology, Patreon, Eventbrite, Sony
Documentary and Non-Profit: Netflix, HBO Documentaries, MTV Documentaries, Firelight Films, ITVS, VICE, Refinery29, Tribeca Studios, TIME, Scientific American, The Documentary Group, Working Films, SF Jazz
Apple, Google, Meta/ Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Curology, Patreon, Eventbrite, Sony, Netflix, PBS, HBO Documentaries, MTV Films, VICE/ Refinery 29, Good Company, Godfrey Dadich Partners, Culture House, Attn: Inc, Tribeca Studios, Firelight Films, ITVS, TIME, Scientific American, CBS, BET, World Channel, Awesomeness TV, The Documentary Group, Working Films, Salesforce, SF Jazz and 23andme.
Vatsala has lectured as adjunct faculty of Cinematography at the School of Cinema, SFSU and served as photography mentor for Bay Area youth at First Exposures. She graduated with an M.F.A. in cinematography from FTII, India and received her B.A. in english literature from St. Xavier’s college, Calcutta University.
Vatsala is a recipient of the 2020 ASC Vision Mentorship Program and a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers. She is mentored by cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, ASC and Quyen Tran, ASC.
Available for domestic and international travel
Email: hello@studiobonsai.org
Experienced in filming with 35 mm, 16mm, ARRI, RED, Sony, Panasonic, Canon and Blackmagic cameras.
Languages: English, Hindi, Bengali (native proficiency) Marathi, Urdu, Bundeli (conversational proficiency)
Her work intersects at documentary, narrative and branded filmmaking. With 12+ years experience working across the US and India.
Her narrative and documentary films have premiered in competition at Sundance, Tribeca, AFI Docs, Clermont Ferrand, IFFLA and MAMI Film Festival among many others. “Aggie”, a documentary feature film she co-DP’d premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020. “Blood and Glory” premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival 2020 and won the grand jury prize at WIM’s Camaraderie competition. In 2019, “Chromosome 19” and “A Tale of Two Kitchens” premiered at Tribeca film festival. Her first feature film “The Train Leaves at Four” was recommended on the NFDC Film Bazaar "Viewing Room" list in 2015 and premiered in the “India Story” section at MAMI film festival. Her recent clients include CBS Primetime show 48 Hours, Netflix Originals and Tribeca Studios. Vatsala is a recipient of the 2020 ASC Vision Mentorship program. She graduated with an M.F.A. in cinematography from the prestigious Film and Television Institute, India and a B.A. in english literature from Calcutta University.
CLIENTS
Corporate:
Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Salesforce, Dropbox, Curology, Patreon, Eventbrite, Sony, 23&Me
DOCUMENTARY & NON-PROFIT:
Netflix, Hbo Documentaries, Mtv Documentaries, Firelight Films, Itvs, Vice, Refinery29, Tribeca Studios, Time, Scientific American, The Documentary Group, Working Films, Sf Jazz
AGENCY:
Culture House, Good Company, Godfrey Dadich Partners, Attn: Inc
TELEVISION/ BROADCAST:
PBS, CBS, BET, ABC, World Channel, Awesomeness TV
Vatsala Goel is a Los Angeles and San Francisco based DP and camera operator. Her work is deeply inspired by music, light, movement and empathy.
“Storming Caesars Palace” had its world premier as the opening night feature film at Blackstar Film Festival, 2022 (co-DP). It is also nominated for the best feature film in competition.
“Battleground” premiered in competition at Tribeca Film Festival 2022 (Addnl Cinematography).
“Sell/Buy/Date” premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, 2022 (Camera Operator/ LA).
“Lynching Postcards: Token of a great day” was nominated for a Peabody Award, shortlisted for the Academy Awards, won a NAACP Image Award, all in 2022, and was selected documentary of the week by WNYC Studios in January 2022 (co-DP).
“Aggie”, a documentary feature film Vatsala co-DP’d premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020, and is now streaming on Amazon.
She DP’d the short film “Blood and Glory” which premiered and was nominated for Best Short Film in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival 2020 and won the grand jury prize at WIM’s Camaraderie competition.
In 2019, her films Chromosome 19 and A Tale of Two Kitchens (streaming on Netflix) premiered at Tribeca film festival.
In 2018, a PSA she shot in response to the Kavanaugh hearing was featured on ABC.
Her film “The Train Leaves at Four” was on NFDC Film Bazaar "Viewing Room" list in 2015 and premiered in the “India Story” section at MAMI film festival.
Clients include Apple, Google, Meta/ Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Curology, Patreon, Eventbrite, Sony, Netflix, PBS, HBO Documentaries, MTV Films, VICE/ Refinery 29, Good Company, Godfrey Dadich Partners, Culture House, Attn: Inc, Tribeca Studios, Firelight Films, ITVS, TIME, Scientific American, CBS, BET, World Channel, Awesomeness TV, The Documentary Group, Working Films, Salesforce, SF Jazz and 23andme.
Vatsala has lectured as adjunct faculty of Cinematography at the School of Cinema, SFSU and served as photography mentor for Bay Area youth at First Exposures. She graduated with an M.F.A. in cinematography from FTII, India and received her B.A. in english literature from St. Xavier’s college, Calcutta University.
Vatsala is a recipient of the 2020 ASC Vision Mentorship Program and a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers. She is mentored by cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, ASC and Quyen Tran, ASC.
Available for domestic and international travel
Email: hello@studiobonsai.org
Experienced in filming with 35 mm, 16mm, ARRI, RED, Sony, Panasonic, Canon and Blackmagic cameras.
Languages: English, Hindi, Bengali (native proficiency) Marathi, Urdu, Bundeli (conversational proficiency)
Vatsala Goel is a Los Angeles and San Francisco based DP and camera operator. Her work is deeply inspired by music, light, movement and empathy.
“Storming Caesars Palace” had its world premier as the opening night feature film at Blackstar Film Festival, 2022 (co-DP). It is also nominated for the best feature film in competition.
“Battleground” premiered in competition at Tribeca Film Festival 2022 (Addnl Cinematography).
“Sell/Buy/Date” premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, 2022 (Camera Operator/ LA).
“Lynching Postcards: Token of a great day” was nominated for a Peabody Award, shortlisted for the Academy Awards, won a NAACP Image Award, all in 2022, and was selected documentary of the week by WNYC Studios in January 2022 (co-DP).
“Aggie”, a documentary feature film Vatsala co-DP’d premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020, and is now streaming on Amazon.
She DP’d the short film “Blood and Glory” which premiered and was nominated for Best Short Film in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival 2020 and won the grand jury prize at WIM’s Camaraderie competition.
In 2019, her films Chromosome 19 and A Tale of Two Kitchens (streaming on Netflix) premiered at Tribeca film festival.
In 2018, a PSA she shot in response to the Kavanaugh hearing was featured on ABC.
Her film “The Train Leaves at Four” was on NFDC Film Bazaar "Viewing Room" list in 2015 and premiered in the “India Story” section at MAMI film festival.
Clients include Apple, Google, Meta/ Facebook, Amazon, Dropbox, Curology, Patreon, Eventbrite, Sony, Netflix, PBS, HBO Documentaries, MTV Films, VICE/ Refinery 29, Good Company, Godfrey Dadich Partners, Culture House, Attn: Inc, Tribeca Studios, Firelight Films, ITVS, TIME, Scientific American, CBS, BET, World Channel, Awesomeness TV, The Documentary Group, Working Films, Salesforce, SF Jazz and 23andme.
Vatsala has lectured as adjunct faculty of Cinematography at the School of Cinema, SFSU and served as photography mentor for Bay Area youth at First Exposures. She graduated with an M.F.A. in cinematography from FTII, India and received her B.A. in english literature from St. Xavier’s college, Calcutta University.
Vatsala is a recipient of the 2020 ASC Vision Mentorship Program and a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers. She is mentored by cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, ASC and Quyen Tran, ASC.
Recognition
Recipient of the 2020 ASC Vision Mentorship program.
Co- judge, Noe Valley Girl's Film Festival, San Francisco, 2016.
Awarded the Outstanding Cinematography Award for "Guillaume; or, The Chauffeur" at Scary Cow Film Festival, San Francisco, 2016.
Curator + Producer/ Photography Exhibit and Lecture Series "Open Show" in Pune, 2012.