Angus Kemp is an Australian film-maker & photographer, based in Naarm / Melbourne.
Having trained in film, architecture & music, Angus’ aesthetic & filmic approach as a director, writer and cinematographer is quite unique.
His most recent documentary, MAKING INFINITY, that he wrote, directed, shot & edited, has recently sold in Europe & will premiere internationally in 2027. He co-directed the dance documentary I’M IN A FOREST with longtime collaborator; choreographer Lucy Guerin, which was commissioned by & premiered at the Venice Biennale of Dance in 2023.
Angus was DoP & associate producer on MOTORKITE DREAMING (90min / 5 x 30min, 2016) & STRANGE BIRDS IN PARADISE: A WEST PAPUAN STORY (90min, 2009) which premiered at IDFA, won the 2010 IF Award for Best Documentary, and for which he was nominated for an AFI award for cinematography in a documentary.
He’s worked a lot within documentary, dance, music and art, & was DoP on documentaries about artists Lynette Walworth & Brook Andrew, has worked extensively with Virtuoso Recorder player Genevieve Lacey, & is currently directing a film about Australian writer & Nobel Nominee Gerald Murnane. Angus has shot over 80 music videos & directed around 20 himself. His musical background has allowed an easy collaboration with dancers & musicians.
Angus is now working on a slate of scripted feature films; leaning heavily into his skill set as a documentary maker.
A quick statement about AI. I don’t use it. I’m okay if you do, it’s just not my thing. Let’s put it this way; I don’t mind the boring parts of being creative. The slog. Spending time doing the fiddly bits, the details, the boring bits. The time consuming, mind numbing bits. These are actually a big part of the creative process for me. You might have some great ideas about a project; big brushstrokes…but then…you need to give these ideas time to simmer, percolate & develop. Doing the boring bits allows my mind the subconscious time to think laterally; the peripheral glance, stepping out of the forest to see the trees, as it were. I don’t want to give any part of the creative process to a machine. I’d rather fuck it up myself. Labour it, get it wrong, reflect, have to do it again; maybe make a mistake.It’s a process. I’ve learnt an awful lot in my life by making mistakes. Life is messy. I like not having complete control. Going to unknown places. Taking risks. Serendipity. If you work with me, you get me. 100% Commitment, & 100% Human.