JOSE STEMPA
CINEMATOGRAPHER
José Stempa is a cinematographer from Mexico City who has worked on narrative and documentary films around the world -- from the favelas in Brazil to mariachi festivals in Croatia -- always chasing extraordinary stories and characters in unexpected places.
Most recently, his narrative work can be seen in the Tribeca Award-winning feature film KOKOLOKO (2020) by Gerardo Naranjo (NARCOS, MISS BALA) filmed in 16mm, PLAN SEXENAL (2014) by Santiago Cendejas, and ESTRELLAS SOLITARIAS (2015) by Fernando Urdapilleta.
Jose was also the director of photography for four upcoming feature documentaries: LA MADRINA, about the controversial case of the so-called Narcosatánicos by Patricia Martínez; THE LOST MARIACHIS, about the only mariachi band in Croatia by Francisco Ohem; and the docuseries CULTURE CODE (2020), about internationally revered cultural anthropologist Clotaire Rapaille by Raúl Campos. Jose also worked as second unit director of photography on THE INVISIBLE FRONTIER, a feature documentary about the most remote island in Mexico directed by Mariana Flores.
Jose has also worked in series, specials, and documentaries for Netflix, Youtube, and Televisa. He has participated in campaigns for brands such as Bacardi, Vice, Coca-Cola, Yves Saint Laurent, Nescafe, Barcel, Lala, among many others.