Matteo Bastianelli is a Rome-based documentary photographer and filmmaker, a National Geographic contributor, and a member of Italy’s National Order of Journalists. His work focuses on social, environmental, and human rights issues, with a strong interest in memory, identity, migration, and sustainability. He has worked extensively across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America, producing long-term, in-depth projects as well as photo and video assignments. His work has been published and commissioned by The New York Times, National Geographic, The Guardian, CNN, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, Internazionale, and Newsweek, among others, and by NGOs including Amnesty International, MSF, ICRC, and Human Rights Watch. His awards include the National Geographic Society Covid-19 Emergency Fund, the Getty Images Emerging Talent Award, American Photography Awards, PDN Photo Annual, and the Canon Young Photographers’ Award.

Matteo Bastianelli

Matteo Bastianelli is a Rome-based documentary photographer and filmmaker, a National Geographic contributor, and a member of Italy’s National Order of Journalists. His work focuses on social, environmental, and human rights issues, with a strong interest in memory, identity, migration, and sustainability. He has worked extensively across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America, producing long-term, in-depth projects as well as photo and video assignments. His work has been published and commissioned by The New York Times, National Geographic, The Guardian, CNN, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, Internazionale, and Newsweek, among others, and by NGOs including Amnesty International, MSF, ICRC, and Human Rights Watch. His awards include the National Geographic Society Covid-19 Emergency Fund, the Getty Images Emerging Talent Award, American Photography Awards, PDN Photo Annual, and the Canon Young Photographers’ Award.

Available to hire

Matteo Bastianelli is a Rome-based documentary photographer and filmmaker, a National Geographic contributor, and a member of Italy’s National Order of Journalists. His work focuses on social, environmental, and human rights issues, with a strong interest in memory, identity, migration, and sustainability. He has worked extensively across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America, producing long-term, in-depth projects as well as photo and video assignments.

His work has been published and commissioned by The New York Times, National Geographic, The Guardian, CNN, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, Internazionale, and Newsweek, among others, and by NGOs including Amnesty International, MSF, ICRC, and Human Rights Watch. His awards include the National Geographic Society Covid-19 Emergency Fund, the Getty Images Emerging Talent Award, American Photography Awards, PDN Photo Annual, and the Canon Young Photographers’ Award.

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Language

Italian
Fluent
English
Fluent
French
Intermediate
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance Documentary Photographer and Filmmaker at Self-employed
January 1, 2009 - Present
Freelance photographer and filmmaker focusing on social, environmental and human rights issues; National Geographic contributor; long-term projects including memory and identity; projects published and exhibited internationally.
Photographer at AVSI Foundation
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2022
Documented the vital role of women in addressing water scarcity and highlighted the power of partnerships to drive change in communities across Mexico; Watershed project.
Photographer at Central Institute for Graphics (ICG)
November 1, 2023 - December 30, 2023
Commissioned to create a photographic work about the Ancient Appian Way on the occasion of the candidacy of the 'Queen of Roads' as a UNESCO Heritage site; to be exhibited in 2024.

Education

Master in reportage and photojournalism at Scuola Romana di Fotografia
January 1, 2007 - January 21, 2009
Workshop at Bilder Nordic School of Photography (Workshop with Eugene Richards)
October 1, 2011 - October 7, 2011
Workshop at Officine Fotografiche
January 1, 2011 - January 21, 2026
High School Diploma at Liceo A. Landi
September 1, 1999 - June 1, 2004

Qualifications

National Geographic Society Covid-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists
January 1, 2020 - January 21, 2026
Getty Images Grant for Editorial Photography - Honorable Mention
January 1, 2021 - January 21, 2026
PDN’s Photo Annual - Winner
January 1, 2010 - January 21, 2026
Marco Bastianelli Prize for the Best First Book - Winner
January 1, 2013 - January 21, 2026
BIF&ST Bari International Film Festival - Best Documentary Film
January 1, 2013 - January 21, 2026
Vittorio de Seta prize for the director of the best documentary film at BIF&ST (2013)
January 1, 2013 - January 21, 2026
Water Science Policy/Unesco Prize - 2nd place
January 1, 2023 - January 21, 2026

Industry Experience

Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education
    paper Rome's starlings create a stunning spectacle

    For The Washington Post’s interactive feature on Rome’s starling murmurations, I served as video operator and cinematographer, capturing footage that brought the story’s natural spectacle and urban challenge to life. I filmed interviews, observational footage, and cinematic B-roll of the birds’ synchronized aerial displays at sunset and the efforts of local crews trying to manage their roosting sites. My work included the use of drone, gimbal, and tripod to ensure dynamic, high-quality visuals that enhanced the narrative’s impact and complemented the reporting by the newsroom team. I coordinated closely with local journalists, delivering original video files on schedule and tailored to the editorial needs of a major international publication.