CINEMATOGRAPHER / DIRECTOR
Born in Mexico and based in Madrid, César D. Lerma works as a Director and Cinematographer.
As a director, he brings a documentary-style approach to fiction, and emotionally grounded storytelling.
His work explores themes such as grief, identity, and memory.
He has written and directed short films such as Fin de Abril (2025), a meditation on childhood grief, and the music video Palabra Quemada (2023), a fragmented visual elegy about emotional violence and memory.
He has also directed commercial work, including Bouldering Came First (2025) a commercial documentary for the brand Belmez.
As a Director of Photography, his work spans a range of formats — from live action to stop-motion, notably in the animated short Baby Krampus (2025).
He has worked on award-winning short films like Mi Primera Comunión (2024) and Hijos Compartidos (2025), as well as music videos for artists including JØL and Thom Archi.
Alongside his filmmaking practice, he has also worked with Copenhagen-based fashion label HELIOT EMIL contributing to the brand’s visual direction through editing, moving image, and AI-driven creative work
as an editor and AI artist.
César often collaborates with Director, Producer, and Cinematographer Lukas Lotti, with whom he has co-shot and developed several projects, together they form a creative production duo known as LUZE.
CONTACT
Europe / USA / México
cesardlerma@gmail.com