Female Voices in Film: Marina Llopis

As part of our celebration of International Women's Day on the 8th March we are interviewing different female members of the film community, asking the same questions to each for a snapshot of different perspectives and thoughts.

Today the spotlight rests on Marina Llopis!

Marina - thank you for your time. What is your film photography background?

I’m a professional film photographer, the founder of IFWEFILM Film Photography Experiences and a self proclaimed film camera nerd!

How did you get into film?

I entered this wonderful analogue world when at the age of 13 my father gave me my first film camera, a Nikon F301. I clearly remember having in my hands the prints of my very first roll (most of them very, VERY overexposed) but, there was something magical I couldn't explain at that moment that pushed me to shoot more and more rolls.

I would say that it was love at first sight.

What is the film photograph you’re most proud of, and why?

That’s a really tough one! It’s hard to choose just one picture but there’s actually a series of photos that I have recently taken for which I feel especially proud of.

A few weeks ago I went to Mallorca, my hometown, to visit my family since I hadn't visited them for nearly a year and I don’t know where that idea came from but I felt a terrible need to take pictures of my mother.

It’s curious that despite being a person so close to me, the idea of leaving aside for a moment the fact that she is my mother and portraying her as the extraordinary woman she is has never crossed my mind!

Thanks to this shooting, it has made me realise the deep admiration I feel for this person and how proud I feel to have had the honour of taking portraits of my mother.

I don't know, for me that session was magical and intense.

What is your favourite camera/film combination?

If I’m shooting shooting with a 35mm camera, I’ll use my Pentax Me Super with a roll of Kodak Portra 400 and if I’m shooting with a medium format camera: Pentax 67 or Hasselblad 500C with again, a roll of Kodak Portra 400.

Who is your favourite (famous or not!) female film photographer?

Kawauchi Rinko (although I’m not sure if she is still shooting in film) and Marta Matencio (known as @lalovenenoso on Instagram) her work is absolutely incredible. I love her work so much.

What could the community do to support your personal film photography endeavours?

I am working on many projects at once to help the film photography community and what would really help me right now is that IFWEFILM has more visibility in the UK and to have more economic support.

I’m planning to do Film Photography Experiences outside of Bristol as tours around different cities in the UK, useful videos for film photographers on Youtube, make practical analogue goods, organise a film photography fair (where local film photographers can sell their prints and photo zines), a guide of analogue photography shops around the UK… (and hopefully someday around Europe!) and many more things.... Yes, too many projects for just one person. However there is no single day I stop believing in this dream. I am convinced that all the projects are going to happen!

But I know that this dream wouldn't be possible without your support. EVERY single help counts. Either making a contribution at my Buy IFWEFILM a Coffee (https://ko-fi.com/ifwefilm), booking for a film photography experience or helping me finding places to hold the film photography experiences in different cities in the UK.

What could the community or industry do to encourage more women to start shooting film?

I honestly believe that the key is to provide accessible information for all about analogue photography and have the spirit of helping each other regardless of sex or gender.

What could the community or industry do to encourage more women to continue shooting film?

I think it would be great to create more events, platforms or talks that promote the visibility of emerging film photographers. Personally, I would like the female gaze to be more present in the panorama of analogue photography so that we can each of us let open a door to a sea of new diverse ideas and possibilities.

I strongly believe that having different ideas in our mind can positively influence our creative work.

Is there anything in particular you want to highlight/explain/address related to film photography and International Women’s Day?

Yes! I would love to see more female film photographers on Youtube.

And as each of us has to be the engine of change, I will start with myself! I want to contribute with videos about analogue photography on YouTube too!

Is there anything else you’d like to say that hasn’t come up naturally in any of the questions above?

I don’t think so! :)

Where can people find you and your work?

IFWEFILM Website: www.ifwefilm.com

Instagram: www.instagram/ifwefilm_

Buy IFWEFILM a Coffee: www.ko-fi.com/ifwefilm 

IFWEFILM Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzFjmynC6TQ8Ky5RxzWFsPg