Daniel Garas cinematographer, whose career spans multiple continents and an impressive range of projects across film, television, and commercials. Based in Budapest, Daniel collaborated with some of the industry’s respected directors and production companies worldwide.
Even before graduating from the Hungarian Film University, Daniel completed his first feature film, an adaptation of the acclaimed theatre drama Portugal. His graduation film, Moscow Square (1999), became an instant cult hit in Hungary, and remains a beloved portrait of a generation shaped by the country’s political transformation.
Daniel’s career quickly expanded beyond Hungary’s borders. He spent over half a decade in the Middle East — working in Dubai, Egypt, and Lebanon — shooting music videos for the region's top artists.. In 2006, he was awarded Best Music Video at the Viva Comet Festival for a clip he directed himself.
His international work continued with the acclaimed Norwegian thriller series Varg Veum, as well as several children's films and series with Proton Cinema.. In India, he collaborated with the Mumbai-based production company Curious on national campaigns for the dynamic Indian market. Over the years, Daniel has shot hundreds of commercials across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, always bringing a cinematic approach to each project.
In 2019, he received the Best Cinematography Award at the Hungarian Film Festival for the critically acclaimed feature film Valan – The Valley of Angels. Daniel also shot the American television series Home Invasion, with Morena Baccarin among the cast, as part of his international portfolio. Most recently, served as lead cinematographer on one of Europe’s largest television productions, led by Robert Lantos and Beta Film, set for release in 2025.
Today, Daniel continues to work on both international and domestic projects, bringing his passion for visual storytelling to every production. He lives in Budapest with his three children.
FEATURE FILMS & TELEVISION
The Physician II: The Return (2025) – 2nd Unit DOP | Dir: Philipp Stölzl | Historical drama produced by Zeitsprung Pictures (Germany).
Rise of the Raven (2024) – TV series | Dir: Robert Dornhelm et al. | Epic historical war drama (10 episodes) produced by Serendipity Point Films & Beta Film.
Home Invasion (2021) – TV series | Dir: Don Bitters III | Sci-fi comedy produced by Brain Academy and Viaplay.
Valan – Valley of Angels (2019) – Feature | Dir: Béla Bagota | Transylvanian-set thriller about human trafficking and personal trauma.
The Troupe (2018) – Feature | Dir: Pál Sándor | Period drama following 19th-century traveling actors in Hungary.
Karsten og Petra Trilogy (2013–2014) – Children's films | Dir: Arne Lindtner Næss | Norwegian series exploring friendship and childhood adventures.
Swing (2013) – Musical drama | Dir: Csaba Fazekas | Story of women forming a swing band to overcome life's obstacles.
Varg Veum (2011) – Crime drama | Dir: Alexander Eik | Norwegian detective story about uncovering political conspiracies.
Isztambul (2010) – Drama | Dir: Ferenc Török | A woman escapes from her life in Hungary to find renewal in Istanbul.
Apacsok (2010) – TV drama | Dir: Ferenc Török | Young intellectuals confront moral dilemmas in communist Hungary.
Koccanás (2009) – Satirical TV drama | Dir: Ferenc Török | A traffic accident leads to absurd social commentary.
Fluke (2008) – Dark comedy | Dir: Tamás Keményffy | A surreal lottery tale with unexpected consequences.
Overnight (2006) – Action thriller | Dir: Ferenc Török | A courier gets entangled in high-stakes corporate crime overnight.
Beautiful Beasts (2005) – Mystery drama | Dir: Ferenc Török | Intertwined stories of love, cruelty, and human power.
Eastern Sugar (2004) – Social drama | Dir: Ferenc Török | A young man faces moral conflict privatizing a factory.
Love Till Last Blood (2002) – Crime drama | Dir: György Dobrai | Revenge and honor fuel this fast-paced action story.
Moscow Square (2000) – Coming-of-age | Dir: Ferenc Török | Students discover freedom during Hungary’s 1989 revolution.
Portugal (1999) – Drama | Dir: Andor Lukáts | A reflective journey of self-discovery and escape from routine.
SHORT FILMS
Skinner (2013) – Dir: Gábor Fabricius | Social drama on urban identity | KMH Film
Hajónapló – Itthon (2013) – Dir: Ferenc Török | Poetic return to homeland | Katapult Film
East Side Stories – The Flip Side (2012) – Dir: Ferenc Török | Urban anthology segment | Unio Film
Európából Európába – S1.E7 (2003) – Dir: Ferenc Török | EU-themed documentary | Objektív Filmstúdió
Jött egy busz (2003) – Dir: Ferenc Török | Emotional story on public transport | Nextrem Film
Valaki kopog – S1.E8 (2000) – Mystery short | Ördöglakat
Tranzit (1999) – Dir: Ferenc Török | Student film on post-socialist youth | SZFE
Nyárelő (1997) – Dir: Dániel Erdélyi | Nostalgic coming-of-age short | SZFE
Labdába sem rúgnak (1996) – Dir: György Pálffy | Schoolyard satire | SZFE
CAMERA DEPARTMENT WORK
Mountain Dew – B cam | Dir: Spencer Riviera | DoP: Trent Opaloch
Smirnoff – 2nd Unit | Dir: Rupert Sanders | DoP: Jess Hall
Amazon – B cam | Dir: Andreas Nilson | DoP: Lasse Frank Johannessen
Virgin Atlantic – 2nd Unit | Dir: Sam Brown | DoP: Thomas Townend
The Physician II – The Return – C cam | Dir: Philipp Stölzl | DoP: Frank Griebe
COMMERCIALS (SELECTED CREDITS)
Brands (Partial List):
· Wayfair, Pepsi, Glenlivet, All Bran, Jägermeister, Amazon, Sprite, Olay, McDonald’s, Fuze Tea, Cappy, Tuborg, Old Spice, Nestlé, Danone, Maggi
· Telecom: Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telekom, Tata Sky,
· Retail: El Corte Inglés
DIRECTORS (partial list)
• USA: Justin Reardon
• India: Vivek Kakkad
• Italy: Federico Bruggia, Gigi Piola
• Spain: El Isac, Albert Saguer, Jorge Rubia
• Scandinavia: Tina Bull, Tor Eistablad, Jörgen Lööf
• Germany: Eicke Bettinga
• UK: Katherine Bell
• Southeast Asia: Eric Boon Leong Yap
• Eastern Europe / Middle East: Razvan Marculuescu, Said El Marouk
Shooting Locations:
· Europe: Hungary, Germany, Norway, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy,
· Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon
· Asia: India
· Africa: Lagos
EDUCATION
University of Theatre and Film Arts, Budapest – Cinematographer DegreeUniversity of Applied Art, Budapest – Photography DegreeHigh School of Fine and Applied Arts, Budapest – Photography Degree
LANGUAGES
Hungarian – Native
English – Fluent