Last Updated 2 months ago
Definition
The International Cinema Lighting Society (ICLS) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the art, craft, and culture of cinematic lighting. It serves as a global community for gaffers, cinematographers, lighting designers, and lighting technicians, with a strong emphasis on education, mentorship, collaboration, and the preservation of lighting knowledge within the film and television industry.
ICLS is not a labor union and does not negotiate contracts or working conditions. Its focus is creative and educational rather than regulatory.
Purpose of ICLS
ICLS exists to support lighting professionals beyond the day-to-day demands of production work. Its core purpose is to create a space where lighting craft can be discussed, documented, and passed down across generations of crew.
Key objectives include:
Promoting best practices in cinematic lighting
Encouraging mentorship between experienced professionals and emerging crew
Creating forums for technical and artistic discussion
Preserving lighting knowledge that is often learned informally on set
Building a sense of global community among lighting practitioners
In an industry where knowledge is frequently siloed by department, region, or production, ICLS acts as a connective tissue.
Who ICLS Is For
ICLS is primarily oriented toward professionals working in or aspiring to work in lighting-related roles, including:
Gaffers
Best boys (electric)
Lighting technicians and electrics
Cinematographers interested in lighting craft
Students and emerging crew seeking mentorship
While membership and participation are open to a range of experience levels, the organization is especially valued by those who view lighting as both a technical discipline and an artistic language.
Activities and Community
ICLS functions largely as a community-driven organization. Its activities typically include:
Online discussions and knowledge-sharing
Educational talks, panels, and workshops
Mentorship initiatives
Networking among lighting professionals across regions
Industry conversations around tools, techniques, and workflows
Rather than positioning itself as an authority issuing rules, ICLS emphasizes peer-to-peer exchange. Members learn from real-world experience rather than from formal certification structures.
ICLS and Film Set Culture
Lighting departments often rely on apprenticeship-style learning, where skills are passed down informally on set. While effective, this system can leave gaps—especially for crew without consistent access to experienced mentors.
ICLS helps fill those gaps by:
Creating continuity of knowledge across productions
Encouraging open discussion of technique and decision-making
Giving newer crew access to perspectives they might not encounter locally
Validating lighting as a creative discipline, not just a technical service
In this sense, ICLS operates as a cultural institution as much as a professional one.
ICLS vs Unions and Guilds
It is important to distinguish ICLS from labor organizations such as IATSE or other trade unions.
ICLS:
Focuses on education, craft, and community
Does not negotiate wages or working conditions
Is voluntary and non-regulatory
Centers on artistic and technical growth
Unions:
Focus on labor rights, safety, and contracts
Enforce jurisdiction and working rules
Operate through collective bargaining
Many lighting professionals participate in both. The roles are complementary, not overlapping.
Global Perspective
Despite its name, ICLS is not limited to a single country or region. Its “international” identity reflects an interest in cross-border exchange of ideas and practices.
Lighting traditions, equipment availability, and workflows can vary widely between countries. ICLS encourages dialogue across these differences, helping members understand alternative approaches and adapt techniques to different production contexts.
This international perspective is especially valuable as film and television production becomes increasingly globalized.
Why Organizations Like ICLS Matter
Lighting is one of the most influential elements of cinematic storytelling, yet it is often under-documented. Much of what makes great lighting work effective lives in intuition, experience, and judgment rather than in manuals.
Organizations like ICLS matter because they:
Preserve institutional knowledge that might otherwise be lost
Encourage reflection on why lighting choices work, not just how
Support long-term career development rather than job-to-job survival
Create a shared language for discussing lighting aesthetics
They also provide a counterbalance to the rapid pace of technological change by emphasizing fundamentals over gear trends.
Relationship to Technology and Change
Modern lighting tools—LEDs, wireless control, advanced modifiers—have transformed workflows, but they have also increased complexity. ICLS discussions often focus on integrating new technology without losing intentionality.
Rather than promoting specific brands or products, the emphasis is typically on:
Light quality and motivation
Control and shaping
Efficiency and safety
Communication between departments
This keeps the conversation grounded in craft rather than consumption.
Common Misunderstandings
One misconception is that ICLS is an exclusive or credentialing body. It is not. Participation does not confer official status, rank, or certification.
Another misunderstanding is that it is only relevant to gaffers. While gaffers are a core constituency, cinematographers and other lighting-focused crew benefit from the shared knowledge and dialogue.
Why It Matters
ICLS exists because cinematic lighting is both an art form and a learned trade. Without intentional spaces for reflection and mentorship, that knowledge risks becoming fragmented or diluted over time.
For working professionals, ICLS offers connection and perspective beyond the pressures of production. For emerging crew, it provides access to experience that might otherwise take decades to accumulate.
In an industry where crews are transient and schedules are relentless, organizations like the International Cinema Lighting Society help ensure that lighting knowledge is not just practiced—but understood, discussed, and passed on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ICLS a union?
No. It is a professional and educational organization, not a labor union.
Do you need to be a gaffer to participate?
No. Cinematographers, lighting technicians, and students are commonly involved.
Does ICLS offer certification?
No. It focuses on community and knowledge-sharing rather than credentials.
Is ICLS international in practice or just in name?
It actively encourages participation and discussion across countries and regions.
Related Terms
[Gaffer] The head of the lighting department on a film set.
[Cinematography] The art and practice of motion picture photography.
[Lighting Design] The creative shaping of light to support storytelling.
[Film Set Culture] The shared practices and norms of on-set work.