Thrilled to announce that Nino Michel, DOP of the short film VAGABOND, directed by Philippe Woodtli, won Best Cinematography Award at the 11th annual HorrorHaus Film Festival.
One of the most outstanding genre film festivals on the film festival circuit.
The screenings and the awards ceremony took place at the fantastic The Main Theatre in Santa Clarita, California.
Nino Michel is a Director of Photography whose odyssey began as a humble light and camera assistant. With a Bachelor’s in Film (ZhdK), specializing in Cinematography, Nino has evolved into an independent storyteller, weaving visual tales across Feature Films, Music Videos, Fashion Films, and Commercials worldwide.
Nino’s art is a reflection of the grounded beauty found in everyday life. His lens is a poetic instrument, translating the authenticity of real experiences into visual symphonies. Inspired by the rhythms of life and the melodies of music, Nino Michel crafts images that resonate with the soul. Discover a world where the language of film speaks the universal truths of our shared human experience.
Without a doubt, this is the first of many successes that await this magnificent professional, who is blessed with such extraordinary talent.
VAGABOND had its world premiere at HollyShorts in Dubai. Since then, it has been screened at film festivals across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Philippe Woodtli about VAGABOND:
What I wanted to tell with this story comes from my fascination with gambling schemes, cons, and the art of misdirection. I’ve always been drawn to the idea that someone can spend years mastering a skill, not to win fairly, but to outsmart the system and take money from a mark with precision. That world has always captivated me, and it’s the kind of story I love watching. With Vagabond, I wanted to show how I would approach a con like this. Not just how to pull it off, but why the con itself is often the easy part. It’s the getaway that really decides everything.
I’m drawn to the gangster world because in that space, only one thing truly matters: trust. Who is really on your side, and who isn’t. The same is true for a card mechanic’s team at the poker table. You need total preparation. You need to know every angle. And most importantly, you need the right partner. If you don’t, things go bad fast.
That’s what I wanted to explore. The precision, the pressure, and the betrayal behind the illusion.
VAGABOND is produced by Raphael Hug & Philippe Woodtli and stars Harold Torres, Carlos Leal, Vincent Flückiger, Sandra Zellweger, Elias Gallegos, Stefen Jung, Ingo Ospelt, Ariane Pochon & Lee Staples
Keep an eye on our social media channels, as we’ll be announcing further successes for our films very soon.
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