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I stared at my computer screen for a long time thinking about what to say about Lukas Dong… thinking about how to craft an appropriate narrative for a filmmaker so integral to our organization’s belief in the future of film, a filmmaker so immensely… innately talented, so destined to make a profound impact, and yet so humble, gracious and giving... so incredibly respectful and professional even as the young man we first met back in 2013… How could I possibly articulate this All American OG so that others would understand his seemingly immeasurable gifts? I mean, when we were invited to the WHITE HOUSE to film, we asked Lukas to join us - and he definitely didn’t disappoint!

It’s a challenging paradox, that the more you get to know someone, the harder it can be to properly describe them. And although knowing Lukas has been an absolute pleasure, I felt stifled - my ability to expound muted by time.

So, I decided to just let his work speak for itself, and happily revisited his earliest documentaries, “Rokt Lax” from 2013 and “Sophia” from 2014. Both films were nominated for all of our top award categories and Lukas won Best Cinematography two years in a row. I’ve seen these films dozens of times and their appeal hasn’t diminished one bit. Lukas’ ability to communicate emotion and meaning with his camera is unparalleled - he possesses a seemingly endless capacity for captivating and dynamic shots and angles, an abundance that informs his pacing, delighting the viewer with an inspiring array of stunning beauty made even more satisfying by its mindful association with the subject matter in every frame. He consistently delivers the voice of the physical world as if he’s tapped in to its cinematic DNA.

And it all appears completely effortless - as if this is simply the way the world welcomes his lens. Of course, I’ve known enough remarkable artists to know this isn’t the case - transformational creativity doesn’t just happen. But Lukas’ stories, their perspectives, illusive simplicity, their visual poetry… they make it seem so effortless. And so, years ago, I flat out asked him - You make it look so easy. Is all of this easy for you?

His answer said more about his craft and passion than anything I can write. “No Tom,” he replied earnestly. “I work really hard.”

For more info: lukasdong.com