Hi, I’m Leon Atay, a filmmaker based in Berlin with a passion for visual storytelling through composition, light, and atmosphere. 

I’ve had the privilege of learning from industry leaders in workshops at ARRI Luxembourg and through sessions with filmmakers such as Jakob Laas, Charly Hübner, and Dennis Pauls. In 2024, I stepped into a teaching role myself, leading two non-profit workshops: one focused on the ARRI Alexa Mini, and another on cinematic lighting. These workshops were supported by the Lean Art Association, the “Zukunft geht raus” initiative, and 25P Cine Rental, and brought together over 30 passionate participants.

Collaboration is central to my process. As a gaffer, I frequently work alongside DoP Joshua Ewert, exploring how nuanced lighting can shape a story. Most recently, in early 2025, I served as 1st AC and B-camera operator on Im Zeichen des Drachen — a german feature film directed by Enrico Saller and starring Erol Sander, Amira Aly, Nastassja Kinski, and other acclaimed actors.

Whether you’re looking for a Director of Photography, lighting specialist, or collaborator on your next project - I’d love to connect.

You can view a full list of my film credits on Crew United linked below.