Meet Nkosi Roma | 16mm Cinematographer & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nkosi Roma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nkosi, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
A favorite affirmation of mine can be found in Proverbs 18:16, it reads,

“A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”

This scripture reminds me of the value of my creative gifts and encourages me not to forsake them regardless of the current circumstance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I currently work as a cinematographer exclusively shooting on the 16mm film format. This isn’t common as most projects are shot digitally. I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with visionary directors and creative brands and artists who appreciate the rich history of filmmaking and want their product to stand out.

I started out doing a mix of solo video work and assisting on the crew of larger sets. From there, I wrote and directed my first short film, “Return to Sender”, and had a strong desire to shift to narrative projects. Over the years, I developed a deeper interest in cinematography and eventually decided to pursue it full time while writing and directing my own projects in between.

Since then, I’ve been carving out a spot in this niche of 16mm filmmaking. I’ve learned that marketing is instrumental and it works best in sometimes unconventional ways– one being a YouTube channel I started on a whim, and others, such as Facebook groups and Instagram (@nkosiroma).

Film is a beautiful and relevant format in the digital age and I want to make it more accessible to storytellers, brands, and artists, by providing information, access to resources, and my experience within the craft.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Northern Colorado, which puts me about an hour away from almost everything worth checking out. A trip to Estes Park, The 16th street mall in Denver, or any quality movie theaters are my top picks. I don’t get out a lot though, I usually have my hands full being a dad and working on projects.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has been incredibly instrumental to my growth as a filmmaker and as a person in general. I grew up with a love for movies, and my parents fueled that by buying me my first camera– a clunky old VHS camcorder.

My wife takes equal credit in everything I do. She cares for our two girls throughout the day and still finds energy to endure the late nights with me as I rant out ideas. She’s my biggest fan, greatest collaborator, and truest critic.

Website: https://www.nkosiroma.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nkosiroma/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/251032937118601/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nkosiroma

Image Credits
Kayla Hightower, Ryan Holly, Josiah Roetker, Coleman Korb