Nickolas Rossi was born in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, where he would later develop a passion for fine art photography. He went on to attend Columbia College Chicago, where he honed his skills in photography and laid the foundation for his future career.
After completing his studies, Rossi continued his education at Portland State University, graduating with a degree in Sociology. This academic background would serve him well in his future endeavors, as he would go on to work and live in various cities around the world.
Rossi's professional journey took him to Montréal, London, Prague, and Los Angeles, where he immersed himself in the world of cinematography. He has worked extensively across the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Mexico, accumulating a vast array of experience and building a reputation as a skilled cinematographer.
His work has been showcased in numerous film festivals around the globe, as well as on prominent television networks such as PBS Independent Lens, CNN, MTV/LOGO, and Fuel TV. This exposure has allowed him to reach a wide audience and share his unique perspective with the world.
As a feature narrative cinematographer, Rossi has worked on a variety of projects, including "Southern Baptist Sissies" with Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan and Dale Dickey, "Do Not Disturb" with Stephen Geoffreys and Corey Haim, and "Breath of Hate" with Jason Mewes and Ezra Buzzington.
In addition to his feature narrative work, Rossi has also made a name for himself as a documentary cinematographer. His camera work has been featured in the award-winning feature documentary "The Power of Two," as well as in John Maloof's Oscar-nominated documentary "Finding Vivian Maier," "The Fear of 13" by David Sington, and Jennifer Siebel Newsom's Sundance premiere "The Mask You Live In."
Rossi's directorial debut, "Heaven Adores You," a film about the life and music of Elliott Smith, premiered in May 2014 and has since screened at over 40 festivals across 5 continents. This film showcases his ability to tell powerful and emotional stories through the medium of film.
