Cine Gear Expo 2026: Where Cinema Technology Meets Craft
Cine Gear Expo 2026 is a two-day gathering of filmmakers, cinematographers, and cinema camera equipment makers, combining panel discussions, live demos, and industry awards to highlight the future of professional video production. This year’s edition runs 5–6 June at the Universal Studios Lot in Hollywood, bringing together cutting-edge tools and influential voices in cinematography. Attendees can walk the backlot, explore professional cinema camera equipment, and compare production solutions in real working environments. RED Digital Cinema returns as a major presence, anchoring conversations about imaging technology while providing hands-on access to its latest cameras and live-production tools. Alongside the gear, Cine Gear Expo 2026 also celebrates craft through its Awards of Excellence, recognising cinematographers whose work and mentorship have shaped the art form. For professionals and aspiring creators alike, the event offers a focused look at how technology and story continue to evolve together.
Honouring Cinematography Legends at the Awards of Excellence
The Cine Gear Expo 2026 Awards of Excellence highlight three distinguished figures whose careers have redefined visual storytelling. Ed Lachman ASC receives the Cinematography Legend Award for a body of work spanning more than 100 titles and four Oscar nominations, with decades of collaborations with filmmakers such as Todd Haynes, Steven Soderbergh, and Sofia Coppola. Caleb Deschanel ASC is honoured with the Legacy Lifetime Award, recognising six Academy Award nominations and landmark films including The Black Stallion, The Right Stuff, and The Passion of the Christ. M. David Mullen ASC receives the Karl Kresser Heart of the Community Award for his dual impact as a cinematographer on projects like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and as an educator and advocate. According to Cine Gear Expo, the awards ceremony will take place during the VIP After Party on Friday 5 June at the Universal Studios Lot.
RED Digital Cinema’s Must-See Panels and Creative Voices
RED Digital Cinema brings a focused slate of panels to Cine Gear Expo 2026 that explore both craft and emerging workflows. On Friday 5 June, “Shoot to Create: The Craft of Independent Filmmaking” looks at how indie directors and cinematographers shape visual language with small crews and limited resources. The panel features Warwick Thornton ACS, Didn’t Die director-writer Meera Menon, and cinematographer-writer Paul Gleason, moderated by Naida Albright. Later that afternoon, “How Cinematic & Immersive Technologies Are Redefining Live Events” gathers live-production innovators Stefaan “Smasher” Desmedt of Fuse Technical Group and Fabrice Lorenceau, COSM vice president and head of live production, to discuss cinema-grade cameras, immersive platforms, and real-time storytelling for large-scale events. On Saturday 6 June, “Behind the Look: Live with M. David Mullen ASC” offers a rare, process-driven conversation with the multi-Emmy-winning cinematographer about tool choice, collaboration, and emotionally resonant imagery.
Hands-On with RED’s Latest Cinema Camera Equipment
Beyond the panel rooms, Cine Gear Expo 2026 offers the chance to handle next-generation cinema camera equipment directly on the show floor. At the RED booth (33), expo-goers can try interactive demos of the V-Raptor XE, explore RED Cine-Broadcast and RED Connect, and see how these tools support high-end production and live workflows. A special collaboration with Iodyne supports these demonstrations, alongside an exclusive Phantom Track demo that points toward new approaches to motion and data capture in professional video production. Also on display are the latest updates from cMotion and Preston, with camera control and data injection tools and unique uses such as Z Mount lens control. For those curious about the expanding Z Cinema lineup, the booth provides a hands-on opportunity with the new Nikon ZR, giving attendees a concrete sense of how these systems perform in practical scenarios.
Why Cine Gear Expo 2026 Belongs on Every Filmmaker’s Calendar
Cine Gear Expo 2026 stands out by combining award-level recognition with access to real-world tools and conversations about modern production. Professionals can compare cameras like RED’s V-Raptor XE, assess emerging live-production workflows, and hear how cinematographers such as M. David Mullen ASC adapt their approach as technology expands. The Universal Studios Lot setting creates a working backlot environment where attendees can move from panel rooms to functioning sets and vendor booths in minutes. For filmmakers focused on independent storytelling, the indie-focused sessions show how to turn constraints into creative strength, while live-events panels outline what it takes to deliver cinematic coverage at scale. With registration open and programming that spans narrative, live, and immersive work, Cine Gear Expo 2026 offers a compact yet comprehensive look at where professional video production and cinema camera equipment are heading next.
