Babette Mangolte, born in 1941 in Montmorot, France, is a distinguished cinematographer, filmmaker, and photographer. She graduated from the École Nationale de la Photographie et de la Cinématographie in Paris in 1966. In 1970, Mangolte relocated to New York City, drawn by the avant-garde art scene and the works of filmmakers like Jonas Mekas and Stan Brakhage. Her collaborations with director Chantal Akerman are notable, particularly on films such as Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975) and News from Home (1977). Mangolte’s cinematography is recognized for its minimalist aesthetic and meticulous framing, reflecting her interest in structural film and the French New Wave. Beyond film, she has extensively documented the performance art and dance scenes of the 1970s and 1980s, working with artists like Trisha Brown, Lucinda Childs, and Yvonne Rainer. Her own directorial works include The Camera: Je or La Camera: I (1977) and The Sky on Location  (1982). Mangolte has also contributed to academic field of film studies and art history through her publications and as a professor at the University of California, San Diego.