Josef Demian  (born 26 May 1941, Oradea, Romania ) also known as Iosif Demian, is an Australian / Romanian film director, cinematographer, screenwriter & producer.

One of the figure heads of the 70’s New Wave, he first makes his mark on Romanian cinema as cinematographer with masterpieces such as Stone wedding/ Nunta de piatră, hailed amongst the greatest Romanian films of all time, acquired by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Oscar Award winner for The BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY and BEST ART FILM  in Ciudad de Panama (1974). 

As director he is best known for A Girl’s Tears /O lacrimă de fată, a ground breaking and innovative feature film (official selection,  Cannes film festival, 1982),  as well as  Baloane de Curcubeu/ Rainbow Bubbles,  a film banned by the communist regime, which had the official premiere after 35 years at the ASTRA film festival, Sibiu.  An important work as Director of Photography after moving to Australia, was Bud Greenspan’s Gold from Down Under, the official film of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Education

MASTER OF ART OF CINEMATOGRAPHY (film & video) ”I.L.Caragiale” National Art Academy of Theatre & Cinema, Bucharest, ROMANIA (1968)

ADVANCED DIPLOMA (Radio & Television Training & Craft) Radio & Television Technical College, Oradea, ROMANIA (1963)

Art DEGREE (Graphic Design) The School of Fine Arts, Oradea, ROMANIA (1964)

Career

Demian made a large number of feature films as cinematographer before transitioning to directing with CALAMITY / URGIA in 1977 (Co-Director with Andrei Blaier)

His first important film as director was A MAIDEN TEAR/ O LACRIMĂ DE FATĂ in 1980 (also known as A Girl’s Tears)

RAINBOW BUBBLES/ BALOANE DE CURCUBEU  followed in 1982,   

KILLING A BIRD OF PREY / LOVIND O PASĂRE DE PRADĂ in 1983 and

THE KID / PICIU in 1984, which won the “Targa D’Argento” Award, at the International Neorealist and Avant-garde Film Festival  AVELLINO  Italy in1985.

His films considered subversive were subsequently banned by the communist censorship and Demian was forced to leave his country. He settles in Australia in 1986 and becomes Head of the Department of Cinematography at the AUSTRALIAN FILM, TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL, position he holds from 1988 until 1995.

Demian’s understanding of the filmmaking process is extensive. He is considered one of the world’s most skilled cinematographers and his nurturing of creative talent has become almost legendary within the Australian film industry. Testament to this are former students who went on winning Oscars and other prestigious international awards.

 Demian sets up the First International Cinematographers’ Forum in Sydney. He is also the creator and organizer of the A.F.T.R.S. MASTER CLASS SERIES with distinguished Cinematographers John Seale, Don McAlpine, Dean Semler, Geoff Burton, Denis Lenoir, Allen Daviau, Peter James, Sacha Vierny, Robby Muller, etc.- worldwide released and known as The Kodak Cinematography Master Class Series SYDNEY (1992)

He sets up his own production company JED Productions in Sydney and over 2 decades he produces and directs dozens of documentaries in partnership with his wife, Erika Józsa Demian.

When Sydney wins the bid for hosting the 2000 Olympics, he is approached by legendary sport documentarist Bud Greenspan and offered a major role in the official film of the Olympics. Demian is working 4 years on the project, following all the trials and events, assembling 16 crews in the process and leading them as Director of Photography.

In 2000 he is also DOP for CITY LOOP – Feature film directed by Belinda Chayko.

Demian won numerous awards both in Romania and worldwide, most recently he was awarded the TIFF EXCELLENCY AWARD at the TRANSILVANIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in 2012, and the EXCELLENCY AWARD  for his innovative contribution to the development of cinema at the ASTRA  INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Sibiu) in 2017.

Personal life

Demian married television journalist & composer Erika Józsa in 1982. They have two sons, Steven (born in 1983) and Martin (born in 1989).  Erika composed the scores for a number of Demian’s films and is also creative partner in several film projects they undertook together.