With profound serenity
View Ula's cinematography portfolio
Polish-born Ula Pontikos is a graduate of the National Film & Television School in London. An incredibly talented cinematographer, she's represented by LUX Artists here in Europe and by UTA in the US.
Her first feature 'Weekend' premiered at SWSX in March 2011 and became an instant hit, scooping the coveted Audience Award. By the end of the year the film had picked up over 20 international awards including two BIFAS and two Nominations at the London Critics' Circle Awards It also appeared in many critics 'Best of 2011' lists, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Telegraph, The Independent, Film Comment, Sight and Sound, Indiewire, Salon, Slate Magazine, AV Club and Total Film.
Since then Ula has gone from strength to strength, winning the Sundance Cinematography Award in 2014 for her second feature 'Lilting' (Hong Khou’s directorial debut). The Hollywood Reporter said of her work in the film – "Ula Pontikos’ cinematography shows an eye for serene compositions, using the vintage wallpaper of the old folks' home or the wintry landscape that surrounds it to add visual texture.”
As well as features, Ula has worked with some of the finest writers and directors in television drama to tell bold and innovative stories, including 2012’s 'Run' (written by Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith for Channel 4 and directed by Charles Martin), 2014’s 'Glue' (written by Jack Thorne for E4 directed by Daniel Nettheim and Ollie Blackburn) and 'Game' (directed by Niall MacCormick). Most recently she's worked on the new eerily plausible prime-time sci-fi drama 'Humans', directed by Sam Donovan, which won Channel 4 their highest viewing figures for an original drama in more than a decade.
'Second Coming', Ula’s most recent feature starring Idris Elba and Nadine Marshall, and directed by Debbie Tucker Green, again won praise for Ula’s keen eye, this time from Mark Kermode, who highlighted Ula’s work in The Observer saying: “Moving from the tight confines of the family home to more expansive verdant exteriors, cinematographer Ula Pontikos keeps her focus tight, lending a dreamy expressionist edge to the interior lives of these complex characters.” In 2015 in recognition of her work Ula was invited to join the British Society of Cinematographers.
Ula chose Loden for her portfolio site which allows her rich cinematography plenty of room to shine. Breaking her site up into three portfolios for Drama, Commercial and Promo work she has carefully curated her body of work to present her portfolio as a seamless journey through her catalogue of films. The careful, expressive eye for detail she so perfectly lends to her cinematography is reflected here, making for a beautiful and engaging portfolio viewing experience. Truly wonderful work.
