Lidia Nikonova is a US-based director of photography working on narrative, commercial and fine art projects. She started out working as a photojournalist in Sydney, shooting for The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Three of Lidia’s narrative films had their world premieres at Sundance: Night Nurse (2026),  Birdie (2026),and While Mortals Sleep (2023) all played in competition at the festival. Her debut feature Family Portrait premiered at Locarno Film Festival where it won Golden Boccalino Award. Lidia’s documentary film Bama Rush (HBO, Vice Studios) has been the most watched documentary launch on HBO MAX.  American Cinematographer magazine included her as one of the Raising Stars of Cinematography in 2026.

Lidia lensed the Annovera campaign that later won silver at Cannes Lions, whislt her other projects were featured on The New Yorker, i-D, Vogue, Vimeo Staff Pick, Directors Library, and Nowness. Her commercial client list includes Nike, Louis Vuitton, TikTok, Meta, and Geico.

Lidia holds a MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institute (USA), BA in Film Theory from The University of Sydney (AUS), and recently completed her second masters degree in Film Aesthetics at Oxford University (UK). She is an alumna of Film Independent’s Project Involve and ASC Vision programs. 





Festival selections

2026
Sundance, World Premiere - Night Nurse (NEXT!)
Sundance, World Premiere - Birdie


2025
Raindance Film Festival
Regards Satellites

2024
Festival International de Films de Femmes
D'A Film Festival Barcelona 2024
PriGlobal International Film Festival 2024
Festival Internacional de Cine Al Este 2024
Sidewalk Film Festival
DEBUT22 – Filmfestival Klosters
UNDERDOX 2024
Palm Springs International ShortFest

2023
Locarno Film Festival, World Premiere, Golden Boccalino Award
Black Canvas Contemporary Film Festival, Best Director Award
Chicago International Film Festival
American Film Festival (Poland)
Houston Cinema Arts Festival
International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg
El Gouna Film Festival
Hainan Island International Film Festival, Best Picture Award, Best Artistic Contribution Award
DOCNYC
MountainFilm Festival, Audience Award Winner, Best Short Documentary
Indie Short Fest
Cine Paris
Calgary Int'l Film Festival

2022
Sundance, World Premiere
Slamdance, World Premiere
BamCineFest
Palm Springs International ShortFest
San Francisco International Film Festival (x2)
Sydney Film Festival
Atlanta Film Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival
North Bend Film Festival
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
Bolton International Film Festival
Short Of The Week

2020
New York Film Festival, World Premiere
International Film Festival Rotterdam (The Eyeslicer)
New Hampshire Film Festival
Nitehawk Shorts Film Festival
Cucalorus Film Festival
San Francisco Independent Film Festival
Maryland Film Festival
Dallas International Film Festival
Rooftop Films, Official Selection

INNOVATIVE ARTISTS

commercial
Lisa Holguin
lisa.holguin@iala.com
+ 1 (310)-729-2659

narrative
Lauren Zak
lauren.zak@iala.com
+ 1 (310) 745-0300 

personal
nikonovadp@gmail.com