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Whether you’re a professional or an amateur filmmaker (or shopping for one), today’s smartphones make it incredibly easy to create your own big-screen worthy content. Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow said at the iPhone 13’s reveal in 2021 that its cinematic cameras “might even birth a new genre,” while Apple’s latest iPhone 16 features a 48-megapixel back camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 12-megapixel front “selfie” camera. (The smartphones can also capture video at 4K Ultra HD resolution at up to 60fps. For those looking to top up on technical knowledge or play with some of the newest toys, we’re rounding up some of the best gifts for filmmakers of all ages and skill levels.
From fancy cameras and precise microphones to sound engineer-approved headphones, there is no shortage of accessories for future directors and cinematographers. And it’s truly a question of personal preference; filmmakers rely on their perfect combination of equipment to produce the look and feel they want. For that very reason, buying the best gift for the aspiring filmmaker in your life can be quite difficult. After all, they probably own what they already want.
Related: The Best Gifts for Digital Nomads, From Smart Office Gear to Tech Must-Haves
That’s why practical and personal gifts are an excellent fit for any movie creator you know. Tripods can simplify the content creation experience, while posters and books make great gifts for your recent film school grad. A new camera is always among the best gifts for film students on a budget, along with laptop-friendly backpacks that let them work from anywhere.
So, whether your recipient is just starting out or has a wealth of experience (or maybe you’re treating yourself to new gear), here’s an eclectic selection of the best gifts for filmmakers or anyone else who loves movies and TV.
Need more ideas? Check out The Hollywood Reporter‘s holiday gift guides here.
Acrylic Film Directors Clapboard
Whether they use it as decor or on set, no aspiring filmmaker’s kit is complete without a movie clapboard. This acrylic dry-erase filming slate comes with an eraser and two pens.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
For editors, writers or producers who prefer in-ear headphones, Apple’s best-selling AirPods Pro 2 provide excellent noise cancellation, sound quality, Spatial Audio and other professional-approved features to keep them focused.
Cinephile: A Card Game
Test their Tinseltown knowledge with the Cinephile game that includes 150 illustrated cards with questions about film and pop culture.
Storyboard Notebook
They’re going to need a lot of space to jot down their future script and scene ideas, and this Storyboard Notebook has 170 pages for them.
MasterClass Subscription
There’s nothing quite like learning from the best. That’s exactly what a Masterclass subscription provides — a series of video lessons from some of the most accomplished professionals in the filmmaking field. Whether your giftee is inspired by Martha Stewart’s entrepreneurship, Shonda Rhimes’ many hit TV series, Ken Burns’ documentaries or Aaron Sorkin’s quick writing, there’s something for everyone.
Joby GorillaPod 3K Compact Tripod Kit
Joby’s original Gorilla Pod offers a crucial amount of versatility when filming. Able to function as a regular tripod, it’s an excellent complement to any camera (even smartphones) and is great for curved, uneven surfaces. If they’re into livestreaming or creating content for social, the company’s PodZilla and the Beamo LED light are also some of the best gifts for online content creators.
Something Splendid Just Poppin’ By Gift Box
A gourmet grub experience is just what they need to upgrade their home movie theater. This gift box includes popcorn kernels and two seasonings (salted caramel and white cheddar) from Dell Cove, a W&P personal popcorn bowl and Andrew Rea’s Eat What You Watch movie-inspired cookbook.
Mac Pro
Feeling generous? For filmmakers, editors and motion graphics designers and VFX animators, Apple’s Mac Pro can handle it all. It’s equipped with the Apple silicon processor, lightning-fast M2 Ultra chip and Media Engine, offering “unprecedented speed an efficiency” for editing 8K video, 3D rendering, video transcoding and more.
Neewer Shoulder Rig Kit for DSLR Cameras and Camcorders
This shoulder rig kit for DSLR cameras helps budding cinematographers get that perfect steady shot with smooth movement and precise focus.
BIIB 9-in-1 Multitool Pen
You never know what’s going to happen on set — and this multi-functional pen features nine convenient tools to ensure they’re always prepared.
Aputure Amaran MC Mini On Camera Video Light
A favorite among DIY filmmakers and content creators, Aputure’s Amaran MC mini on-camera video light offers a CCT range of 3200-6500K and built-in lighting effects to recreate fireworks, paparazzi flashbulbs, TV, lightning, police cars, parties and more.
Nikon Z f 24-70mm Camera Kit
Nikon’s Z f compact mirrorless digital camera is treat for photographers and videographers. In our hands-on testing, we experienced impressive autofocus and video stabilization during shoots on bumpy hikes and car rides. It’s excellent in low-light situations (we shot many gorgeous and blur-free full moons), and the 24-70mm lens kit is especially great for taking portraits, landscape photos and 4K video with ease.
Kiorafoto Professional Water-Resistant Anti-Shock SD Card Holder
Having several memory cards going at once is a normal part of being a filmmaker. And a sneakily good gift could be something to keep everything together. Kiorafoto’s card holder can store 12 SD cards and is entirely waterproof.
Logitech Craft Advanced Wireless Keyboard with Creative Input Dial and Backlit Keys
Logitech’s Craft Advanced wireless keyboard has a convenient input dial that gives users complete control on a range of apps, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and InDesign; and Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word. Giftees will also appreciate the backlit keys that automatically adjust to the lighting conditions in their space, and the responsive, quiet keys are optimized for efficiency and precision.
Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898–1971
Regeneration: Black Cinema (also available at the Academy Museum’s online store) explores the overlooked history of Black filmmakers, performers and producers such as Lena Horne, Bert Williams, Oscar Micheaux, Dorothy Dandridge, Herb Jeffries and many, many others. Spanning 288 pages and covering the period between 1898 and 1971, the must-have coffee table book has a foreword by Whoopie Goldberg and includes insightful interviews with award-winning contemporary filmmakers Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Julie Dash, Charles Burnett and Dawn Porter.
Hiturbo Mini Drone with 1080P HD Camera
Techies will have fun playing with Hiturbo’s mini drone camera, a great gift for beginner drone photographers of all ages. It can record in 1080p HD resolution directly to smartphones via the free app and features a 90-degree manually adjustable lens for stunning wide field of view. Reviewer love the one-click take-off and landing button, and the included batteries can last up to 22 minutes. It weighs just over three ounces and can fly up to 160 feet above the ground with three gear speeds. It can perform 360-degree flip and roll moves in any direction and comes with a handy carrying case.
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer
Smartphone cameras are an increasingly viable option for filmmaking. But it’s no good having a top camera if you can’t steady your phone. DJI’s three-axis Osmo Mobile 6 smartphone gimbal stabilizer does just that, enhancing the movie production experience for on-the-go content creators and aspiring directors.
100 Movie Set Terms Poster
For movie buffs and filmmakers of all ages, this poster of film terms will help them brush up on their set knowledge — or help them learn new ones.
GoPro HERO12 Black Waterproof Action Camera
Filmmakers have to be ready to adapt to a variety of climates and conditions, especially if they want to make a documentary. GoPro’s newest Hero12 Black waterproof action camera boasts a 27MP camera that shoots 4K and 5.3K Ultra HD video, Bluetooth connectivity for AirPods and other audio devices for wireless recording and sound control, 2x digital zoom, HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization and a HyperView digital lens that offers 8:7 and 9:16 aspect ratios.
Content creators will dig the webcam mode for livestreaming and vlogging, and the camera has a rechargeable, long-lasting battery. Of course, GoPro is known for withstanding the elements, so users can shoot underwater as deep as 33 feet.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
A favorite of Oscar-nominated sound editor Julian Slater, Sony’s latest WH-1000XM5 Bluetooth headphones are also our go-to gear for long flights. They boast an Auto NC Optimizer that adjusts noise canceling based on your environment, and wearers get up to 30 hours of battery life (so they’ll enjoy uninterrupted time while editing or listening to music).
‘Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps: Designing Graphic Props for Filmmaking’ by Annie Atkins
If they’re dedicated to creating the most realistic scenery on their film sets, Dublin-based designer Annie Atkins reveals how to do just that in her 208-page book, Designing Graphic Props for Filmmaking. From invitations, love letters, coffee shop receipts and more ephemera, this book provides endless inspiration.
Speks Crag Magnetic Putty
Whether they’re facing writer’s block or they just need to let their creative juices flow, Speks’ Crags magnetic putty is a fun fidget-friendly accessory to help them concentrate (or get their mind off things).
Pakt The Travel Backpack
Designed in collaboration with gear reviewer Chase Reeves and with the input of over 300 travelers, Pakt’s travel backpack boasts more than 20 features that make it essential for filmmakers who want to stay organized wherever they’re headed. Made of water-resistant fabric spun from recycled single-use plastics, this carry-on-sized pack has a cool dual-compartment clamshell design with a mesh divider, room for cameras and lenses, a separate laptop compartment, a waterproof section for toiletries (or items that might leak), an exterior water bottle compartment, a hidden back pocket for important documents, a luggage pass-through and plenty of easy-to-adjust straps to keep wearers comfortable.
‘In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing’ by Walter Murch
If your giftee still has quite a lot to learn about editing, In the Blink of An Eye is a good option if they want to soak up tips and tricks from an acclaimed industry veteran. The award-winning book by film editor, director, writer and sound designer Walter Murch is the blueprint for film editing, as Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola (who frequently works with the author) can attest.
‘Cheap Movie Tricks: How To Shoot A Short Film For Under $2,000’ by Rickey Bird
This book by filmmaker and writer Rickey Bird is a good option for low-budget enthusiasts who are just getting into the filmmaking business. This 288-page guide will teach readers how to shoot “any film project into a piece of art,” as The Walking Dead actor Vincent M. Ward professes. After all, sometimes it can take just one great film to launch a career.
Billingham Hadley Small Pro Camera Bag
A proper camera bag is essential for any on-the-go filmmaking enthusiast. One of the best compact camera carryalls for busy shutterbugs is Billingham’s Hadley pro bag made of khaki canvas and leather (available in other colorways). It combines style and substance for a good price, and it fits tons of gear, too.
