BIO
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R.J. Ong is a director of photography based in London and an alumni of the National Film and Television School.
Recently, he gained recognition by being nominated for Best Cinematography in In a Music Video at the 70th British Society of Cinematographers for Common Saints - Illusion, directed by Ben Harris. In the previous year, he was also nominated at the UKMVA for Best Cinematography in a Video (Newcomer) 2024 and shortlisted for Best Cinematography at the Young Arrows 2025.
As part of Ed Sheeran’s “PLAY” album release in 2025, R.J. collaborated with director Emil Nava, to create the intimate “CAMERA” music video and soon found another successful collaboration in 2026 with Ed Sheeran's Spotify Billion's Club Concert film which was realised in January 2026.
Since then, he was invited to participate as a Jury for the Videoclip Italia Awards 2025 and has also collaborated with brands such as Arsenal, Emirates, Mastercard, Mclaren, Adidas, BULGARI, Universal Music, Columbia Records, Valentino and artists such as Calvin Harris, Jorja Smith and Ed Sheeran.
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​PRESS​
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BRITISH CINEMATOGRAPHER (BSC 2025 NOMINATION)
PROMONEWS.TV
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AWARDS
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COMMON SAINTS "ILLUSIONS" MV
70th British Society of Cinematographers Awards 2025 - Nomination - Best Cinematography in a Music Video
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JORJA SMITH "SWIMMING IN PITY" MV
UKMVA 2025 - Nomination - Best Dance/Electronice (Newcomer)
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AMI BLUU "SWIMMING IN PITY" MV
UKMVA 2025 - Nomination - Best Live Video
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KONYIKEH "LIE TO ME" MV
UKMVA 2024- Nomination/Shortlist - Best Cinematography in a Video (Newcomer)
UKMVA 2024 - Nomination/Shortlist - Best Colour Grading in a Video (Newcomer)
UKMVA 2024 - Nomination/Shortlist - Best Pop/R&B/Soul Video (Newcomer)
Young Arrows 2025 - Shortlist - Best Cinematography
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ORIGINAL SKIN
***ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
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Official Selection - Tribeca Film Festival 2024
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SEE IT, SAY IT
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Official Selection & Best Short Film Award Nomination - BFI London Film Festival 2024 (London Premiere)
Official Selection - Narrative Short - SXSW Film & TV Festival 2024 (International Premiere)
Nomination -Best British Film - Norwich Film Festival 2024​​
Official Selection - Shanghai International Film Festival 2025
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LAUNCH FEVER
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Official Selection - Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival 2024 (Oscar & BAFTA - Qualifying)​​
Official Selection - LA SHORTS International Film Festival 2024 (Oscar, BAFTA, CSA, Goya - Qualifying)​​
45th Annual Telly Awards 2024 - Gold - Non-Broadcast - People's Telly
45th Annual Telly Awards 2024 - Gold - Non-Broadcast - Directing
45th Annual Telly Awards 2024 - Gold - Non-Broadcast - Narrative & Scripted
45th Annual Telly Awards 2024 - Silver - Non-Broadcast - History
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THE SMART DIVER
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Official Selection -Indy Shorts (Heartland) International Film Festival 2024 (Oscar - Qualifying)​​
Official Selection -Florida International Film Festival 2024​​​
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DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS
Winner - "Best British Short Animation" - BAFTA Film Awards 2022
Official Selection - Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2022
Winner - "Silver Screen Award" - Young Director Award (YDA) 2022
Official Selection - LA Shorts International Film Festival 2022
Official Selection - Palm Springs International Shorts Fest 2022
Official Selection - Nuits En Or César 2022
Official Selection - Animafest Zagreb 2022
Official Selection - London Short Film Festival
Official Selection - 19th Bogotá Short Film Festival
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WATAMULA
Finalist - Golden Calves Awards (Netherland's Oscar) - Nederlands Film Festival 2020
Official Selection - Go Short 2021 - Oscar & Bafta Qualifying​
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