Biography

José Stempa is a Mexican cinematographer who works on narrative and documentary films and TV series.

Most recently, his work can be seen in the HBO Documentary Series "La Narcosatánica"(2023), Gerardo Naranjo's Tribeca Award-winning feature "Kokoloko" (2020), two feature films by Santiago Cendejas - "Historia Natural"(2023) & "Plan Sexenal" (2014), "Culture Code" (2020) a docuseries filmed in France based on the book by internationally revered anthropologist Clotaire Rapaille. Other series include "Demencia" (2018) directed by Jorge Michel Grau, "Sobreviví" (2018) a comedy series by Raúl Campos, and "Estrellas Solitarias" (2015), Fernando Urdapilleta's irreverent comedy feature. His work will also be seen in the upcoming documentary feature "Los Mariachis Perdidos," about a mariachi band from the Balkans.

José has also worked as second unit director of photography on Jorge Michel Grau's upcoming Amazon Prime series "Cada Minuto Cuenta," the Amazon Prime comedy series "Mala Fortuna" (2023), "Viaje al Centro de la Tierra" (2023), an adventure series for Disney+, National Geographic's award-winning docuseries "Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller" (2023), and "La Frontera Invisible" (2022), a feature documentary about the most remote island in Mexico directed by Mariana Flores.

He has photographed mini series, comedy specials, such as "Ricardo O'Farril: Abrazo Genial," and documentaries for Netflix, YouTube, TV Azteca and Televisa. He has filmed ad campaigns for brands such as BMW, Nissan, Toyota, Yves Saint-Laurent, Bacardi, Coca-Cola, Nescafé, among others.

José has been the director of photography on several short films that have won awards in international festivals such as Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival or Morelia International Film Festival.

José graduated from the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica in Mexico City, loves to travel, and plays the saxophone.

Management: 9am Agency
- IMDb mini biography by: J. Stempa