Emma Charles – Film Colourist

​I am a freelance colourist based in East London, specialising in colour grading and finishing for film, commercial, fashion, documentary, animation, and music videos.

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My journey into colour stems from my background as an artist, filmmaker, and photographer. I studied photography at the University of Brighton and the Royal College of Art, where my passion for darkroom printing and 16mm film laid the foundation for my understanding of colour theory, balance, and tone—skills I now bring into my work as a film colourist.

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For over 15 years, my films have been exhibited globally at institutions such as Serpentine Galleries, ICA London, HKW Berlin, and Jeu de Paume Paris, and screened at festivals including Sheffield DocFest, Visions du Réel, and Edinburgh International Film Festival. In 2021, my first feature film, On A Clear Day You Can See the Revolution From Here, was screened at MoMA, New York, and in 2022, Centre Pompidou, Paris, presented a retrospective of my work.

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My experience as a producer, writer, director, cinematographer, and editor gives me a broad understanding of the creative and technical challenges of both production and post-production, allowing me to collaborate deeply with directors to enhance their vision through colour.

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I am also passionate about fostering a more inclusive industry, advocating for greater diversity and accessibility in post-production. In particular, I work to address the underrepresentation of women in colour grading, building a community of like-minded creatives to support and amplify new voices in the industry.