What to Expect from RED at Cine Gear Expo 2026
Cine Gear Expo 2026 at Universal Studios Lot is a two-day gathering where cinema professionals explore new tools, learn from leading cinematographers, and experience hands-on demonstrations that connect creative craft with production-ready technology. This year, RED Digital Cinema returns on 5-6 June with a focused program of cinema camera panels and live demos built around the art and technology of creating powerful imagery. According to RED Digital Cinema, its presence will centre on “must-see panels on the art and technology of creating today’s most powerful imagery, along with hands-on demonstrations of its latest cameras and product innovations.” Beyond the RED booth, the expo’s 30th edition also celebrates the 2026 Awards of Excellence, honouring Ed Lachman ASC, Caleb Deschanel ASC and M. David Mullen ASC, giving attendees a rare chance to engage with both cutting-edge tools and the artists who define the craft.
Cinema Camera Panels: Story, Craft, and Independent Voices
RED’s cinema camera panels at Cine Gear Expo 2026 foreground how creative decisions, not just gear choices, shape the images audiences remember. On Friday 5 June, Shoot to Create: The Craft of Independent Filmmaking (3:45–4:35pm) brings together Warwick Thornton ACS (The New Boy), writer-director Meera Menon (Didn’t Die) and cinematographer-writer Paul Gleason. Moderated by Naida Albright, the session examines how indie filmmakers use framing, lighting, and movement, work with small crews, and turn production constraints into distinctive visual language. Later that day, How Cinematic & Immersive Technologies Are Redefining Live Events (4:45–5:35pm) focuses on live production. Stefaan “Smasher” Desmedt of Fuse Technical Group and Fabrice Lorenceau, COSM vice president and head of live production, will discuss large-format cameras, precision motion systems, and workflows that bring cinema-level imagery to concerts and major events in real time.
Behind the Look with M. David Mullen ASC
Saturday 6 June centres on one of the expo’s most anticipated cinema camera panels: Behind the Look: Live with M. David Mullen ASC (3:15–4:05pm). The multi-Emmy and ASC Award-winning cinematographer is known for his work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as features including Twin Falls Idaho, Northfork, The Astronaut Farmer, Akeelah and the Bee and Jennifer’s Body. Mullen will discuss how film history, evolving technology and story needs guide his choice of tools, and how collaboration shapes the final image. Cine Gear Expo attendees can also see him recognised beyond the panel: he receives the Karl Kresser Heart of the Community Award, which honours those who forge paths for others in the craft. For working cinematographers and camera teams, this session promises both practical process insight and a wider perspective on career-long growth.
Hands-On Demonstrations at the RED Booth
For those eager to move from theory to practice, the RED booth (33) at Cine Gear Expo 2026 offers a dense program of hands-on demonstrations. Expo-goers can try the V-Raptor XE and explore how RED Cine-Broadcast and RED Connect fit into real-world production pipelines, all in a special collaboration with Iodyne. An exclusive Phantom Track demo adds another layer for teams interested in advanced camera control and data-driven workflows. Also on view are the latest updates from cMotion and Preston, with camera control and data injection tools and applications including Z Mount lens control. For camera departments comparing systems, the booth is also a chance to get physical time with the new Nikon ZR, part of the Z Cinema lineup, and to talk directly with RED specialists about integrating these tools into upcoming productions.
Awards of Excellence and Networking Opportunities
Cine Gear Expo 2026 is more than a technology marketplace; it is also a celebration of cinematic craft. The expo’s 2026 Awards of Excellence honour Ed Lachman ASC with the Cinematography Legend Award, Caleb Deschanel ASC with the Legacy Lifetime Award, and M. David Mullen ASC with the Karl Kresser Heart of the Community Award. The ceremony takes place during the VIP After Party on Friday 5 June at the Universal Studios Lot. Earlier that day, attendees can attend Legendary Cinematographer Ed Lachman ASC in Conversation with Nancy Schreiber ASC at 12 noon, adding a historical and artistic counterpoint to the gear-focused events. For cinematographers, camera operators, and producers, the combination of RED Digital Cinema’s panels, hands-on demonstrations, and these award events creates a compact environment for learning, networking, and planning the next production slate.
