Former Cinematographers Guild Head John Lindley Elected to Return as Local 600’s President

John Lindley has been elected national president of the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600), returning to a role that he held from March 2020 to June 2022, during which time he led the Guild’s emphasis on set safety following the accidental death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.”

In 2022, he announced that he would not to run for re-election. Lindley succeeds current national president Baird Benton Steptoe Sr.

According to the Guild, 35.6% of eligible voters cast a ballot in this election. The tentative vote tally results for the office of national president were John Lindley with 1482 votes; Dave Perkal, with 685; and Steptoe, who was running for re-election, with 591. The tentative election results are not final until the Local 600 election committee’s report is accepted by the outgoing national executive board at its June 21 meeting.

Jamie Silverstein, who ran unopposed, will serve as national vice president, based out of the Eastern region. Silverstein previously served as the national assistant secretary-treasurer.

The membership also re-elected four national executive officers: Deborah Lipman as first national vice president, based in the Central region; Mark Weingartner as second national vice president, based in the Western region; Stephen Wong as national secretary-treasurer, based in the Western region; and Betsy Peoples as national sergeant-at-arms, based in the Central region. Selene Preston was elected as national assistant secretary-treasurer, based in the Eastern region.

Each of the newly elected officers will serve a three-year term, from June 2025 to June 2028.

Local 600 is the largest of the 13 Locals that work under the IATSE Basic Agreement, a three-year contract that was last ratified in 2024, following the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

“This election marks the next chapter for our Guild, and I am confident that our newly-elected member leaders will bring the vision, experience, and unwavering commitment to guide Local 600 during these turbulent times,” says Alex Tonisson, national executive director of ICG.