‘Tis the season of giving, no matter the holiday you celebrate.
Chances are, you know someone who works with video (or aspires to) and has been very, very good this year. If you’re stumped on what to get them, we’re here to help with an expert roundup of 20 gift ideas for filmmakers.
Whether the filmmaker in your life is a business professional or content creator, our list includes valuable gifts for video creators from all industries and walks of life.
We asked video professionals—including our own Creative Director, Nick LaClair—to provide first-hand insight into why these items are useful gifts for filmmakers.
You’ll find gifts for video professionals under and over $500. We’ve also added a few stocking stuffers under $100 for the video creator in your life—which may just be you. We won’t judge if you get inspired for a little personal shopping while you’re at it.
The Best Gifts Ideas Under $500
Video equipment can quickly become expensive. While $500 is a significant investment, filmmakers and those who love them can get a lot of great equipment in this pricing tier.
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1. Durable Carry-On Gear Case
For video professionals who travel, whether down the road or across the globe, a rugged gear case is essential. Hardshell cases are waterproof, dust-proof, and crush-proof to protect the expensive gear within. Outside of the film world, many professionals in other industries use these cases for the same reason.
Pelican 1510 Protector Carry-On Case ($252.95)
“Unless you’re on a little puddle jumper, you don’t want to check your luggage with your camera and other expensive stuff. The 1510 allows you to keep your equipment with you while traveling,” shared Nick LaClair, Creative Director for SproutVideo.
“The Pelican 1510 is always at my side at airports. And it fits in the overhead compartment instead of having to check it.”
2. Field Monitor with LUT Support
Cameras often need to be in specific or odd positions. They might be up high or super low. One could be in a corner, shoved behind a bunch of books. A video monitor makes it really easy to see what the camera sees and review it with multiple people. It also allows the filmmaker to see a shot while they’re in the shot.
Atomos Shinobi 2 5″ Touchscreen HDR Video Monitor ($349)
The small and relatively affordable Atomos Shinobi 2 video monitor is ideal for a wide range of video professionals. “The 1500-nit screen makes it perfect for outdoor shoots, where visibility in sunlight is crucial,” shared Ryan Stone, Founder and Creative Director of Lambda Video Production,
“The Shinobi 2 stands out for its USB-C camera control for Canon, Sony, Panasonic, and Z CAM cameras—a feature usually found in more expensive models.”
3. Flexible Travel Tripod
In some situations, a normal tripod just won’t cut it. That’s where flexible tripods come into play. These extremely durable and bendy tripods are meant to be used just about anywhere. The tripods’ rubberized legs help them grip and hold onto nearly any surface. The impossible shot becomes possible with one of these handy tripods.
Joby GorillaPod® 5K Kit ($130.49)
“Joby GorillaPod is the industry standard. The 5K carries five kilograms of weight [11 pounds], which is amazing because it can carry a big lens on a full-frame camera,” shared Nick LaClair of SproutVideo.
“So the 5K is the sweet spot for those using a full-frame camera while also being able to use it for everything else. I always have one in my camera kit or wedged into my luggage. And I almost always regret when I don’t have one,” shared LaClair.
4. Professional Lavalier Microphone
Wireless lavaliers are the easiest way to get professional audio. Your subject can move around without any wires, and there’s no need for boom mics.
Overall, wireless lavaliers have a comparable sound to wired lavaliers while being much easier to use and less expensive.
Hollyland LARK MAX Duo 2.4GHz 2-Person Wireless Lavalier ($249)
“Wireless lavaliers, like the one I use from Hollyland, introduced on-board noise reduction, which is something professional mics never have.
“They also introduced internal recording. You can push a button on the mic to record, then use a USB C to transfer the audio straight to your computer. Plus, they have long-lasting rechargeable batteries—all things that were a decade overdue in the industry,” shared Nick LaClair of SproutVideo.
5. A Portable RGB Light
A portable light (or multiple) is a practical choice for filmmakers who need to travel with minimal gear or quickly shoot a video at home. These lights offer a full range of RGB colors, as well as regular white light with percentage dimming for extreme precision.
NEEWER 10cm RGB Light Wand ($21.59)
“After using this light for a little more than a year, I’ve found it to be extremely versatile,” said Conner Carey, Marketing Copywriter for SproutVideo. “It easily fits into my hand, and the magnets allow me to quickly position lighting for a short video.”
With built-in magnets and a 1/4″ threaded screw hole for tripod mount, you have many options for set up. This NEEWER Light Wand is also available in 23cm, which is ideal for studio shoots.
6. Rugged Harddrive
Every video professional needs to back up footage. And External SSDs have become the standard. They’re compact and pretty foolproof. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to use one that’s rugged enough to protect your footage from life’s various hazards.
LaCie 2TB Rugged SSD PRO Thunderbolt 3 External SSD ($299.99)
“In the past, one of the hardest things on the job was getting immense weight in hard drives and having to split them up among people to ensure the footage gets to its destination,” Nick LaClair of SproutVideo recalled, “Everyone had to carry 15 pounds of hard drives. That’s not a problem with external SSDs.”
The rugged LaCie hard drive is rated to resist water for 30 minutes in up to one meter (40 inches) of depth. It boasts two tons of crush resistance and a 9.8’ drop rating. It also provides super-fast transfer speeds and is available in storage sizes from 1TB up to 5TB.
7. Editing Software
Video editing software allows professionals to transform raw footage into a cohesive visual experience. Video post-production often involves much more than editing clips and scenes together. It’s for this reason that many filmmaker workflows include multiple software programs.
Davinci Resolve Studio ($295)
“There are some very powerful tools in the paid version, like noise reduction, lens correction, and face detection. Especially the noise reduction: you can stick any footage into DaVinci and make it look as cinematic as possible,” said Nick LaClair of SproutVideo.
“Another good thing about Davinci Resolve is you don’t have to keep paying for upgrades, which future-proofs your investment in the software. They frequently update it to make it better,” shared Senthil M, Founder and Cinematographer with T-Eight.
DaVinci is the de facto standard for color grading. And it’s becoming extremely popular for editing. Overall it’s a great all-in-one solution for video post production.
8. Reflectors Kit
Reflectors allow filmmakers to carry less equipment while controlling light to their advantage. You can bounce lights off of them, so you don’t have to bring a ton of lighting equipment other than the light itself.
Reflector kits are versatile because you have different types of reflectors, including gold, silver, and white. Each of those colors creates a different reflection.
Neewer Photo Studio Light Reflector Kit and Light Stand ($66.99)
“It’s versatile for a thousand reasons. If you have to create a shadow where there isn’t one, there’s a blackout reflector. And inside that, if you take the cover off, you can use it for diffusion too,” Nick LaClair of SproutVideo discussed. “Instead of carrying a light and a light modifier, like a soft box and a fill and all these other things, you can just have one of these that you throw a light through.”
9. Film Festival Tickets
The proliferation of online events allows more people than ever to enjoy important experiences wherever they live. Yet nothing can match the energy and excitement of an in-person festival, especially one centered around your filmmaker’s passion.
Sundance Film Festival 2025 ($35–$4200)
“Enjoy a bunch of new work while being around people who are doing that work,” said SproutVideo’s Nick LaClair of his festival experiences, “It’s all people who are dedicated to doing that for a living. You can’t get that vibe by watching it at home.”
Sundance offers packages to suit various budgets. Packages range from $35 for a single movie ticket to $4,200 for unlimited screenings and priority festival event access. It also offers online packages for those who can’t or don’t want to attend in person.
Gifts for Filmmakers Over $500
Now we’re getting serious. Much of the essential equipment filmmakers need tends to cost over $500. Discover the greatest, latest, and most classic gear that video professionals use on the job—from the advice of expert filmmakers and marketers.
10. Pocket-Sized 4K Drone
Capture scenic views and creative angles with a flying drone. If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite YouTuber got that incredible bird’s-eye shot, here’s the answer.
Drones can be expensive, but the shots they capture are priceless—and would require significantly more resources to capture otherwise. A small drone is a great way to reduce costs while getting the unique shots you (or your filmmaker) want.
DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC-N2) ($759)
Clocking in at an ultra-light 249 grams, this little guy can record in 4K and fly for 45 minutes. “The DJI Mini 4 Pro’s camera quality and stability make it an asset. We often deal with breezy conditions as we’re super close to the beach, and this drone handles it with ease, ensuring smooth, cinematic shots that draw viewers into the experience we offer,” shared Jonathan Pickard, Head of Marketing for Holiday Resort Unity.
“It’s also quiet enough not to interrupt our guests’ experience, which is extremely important to us. I personally recommend it because, for its price, it already has enhanced camera capabilities, which include a 1/1.3-inch sensor capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second. It also has an obstacle-sensing system, which is very useful when navigating various environments,” shared Pickard.
11. Premium Lens
There are few workhorse lenses that can provide everything a filmmaker needs. A premium lens can be that if you choose the right one. As opposed to getting niche or budget lenses, a video professional can buy a workhorse lens once and be good to go for most scenarios.
Note that for full-frame cameras, a 24-70mm lens covers the entire focal range, while an 18-55mm lens is required for APS-C cameras.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens ($2399)
“This is the standard photojournalist lens,” shared Nick LaClair of SproutVideo, “If you go into a war zone, you take this lens with you. It covers your wide shots, your mediums, and your coverage. Outside of wildlife photography or sports, you’re covered for anything you might need for storytelling.”
“The cannon specifically is known to be bomb-proof. I still own one that I bought in 2006. It’s almost 20 years old, and it functions perfectly. I beat the crap out of it on horseback once. I had to shoot then throw it over my back and go, like I was in the Kentucky Derby, to get in front of the people to then grab it and shoot again. The whole time, it was just bouncing on the saddle,” said LaClair.
12. Mobile Production Kit
For many video professionals, a high-quality mobile production kit is all they need, whether they’re filming on the go or in their office. The goal is to significantly increase the convenience of filming without sacrificing video or audio quality.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo ($669)
The DJI Pocket is a fantastic video solution for anyone who needs to easily capture quality footage without carrying around a full-frame camera.
“The Osmo Pocket 3’s features, specifically the 4K/60 FPS recording, are amazing for slow-motion. It can also shoot in different aspect ratios, making it easier to edit for Instagram and YouTube,” said Oleksiy Torokhtiy, Founder of Torokhtiy Weightlifting.
“Thanks to its small size, I can move around the gym and lift weights while capturing close-up form checks without being intrusive. The Pocket 3 performs amazingly even in low-light conditions and is perfect for travel. I throw it in my gym bag and carry it along.”
The creator combo kit includes everything you need to start filming stable footage with low noise. You can even use your phone as a wireless video monitor and to customize film settings.
13. Smartphone with Quality Camera
Smartphone cameras are downright impressive. They help ensure you can capture magical moments wherever and whenever they happen. In many instances, a smartphone camera doesn’t replace a professional one, but it’s the most readily available camera, which is an asset.
iPhone 16 Pro ($999+)
The iPhone 16 Pro continues to build upon the best aspects of past iPhone cameras while offering more control over the final result. The latest iPhone also features high-resolution slow-motion capture—reviewers are calling it the best feature in years.
14. Steadicam System
A gimbal stabilizer is essential for reliably smooth shots. Whether the camera moves to tell the story or the filmmaker stands in one place, gimbals eliminate the shake in a shot. You can walk around with it or use it on a tripod, then tilt and pan with just a little button. It makes almost everything you need to do a lot easier.
DJI RS 4 Pro Gimbal Stabilizer Combo ($1099)
“The problem with gimbals has always been the setup time; it’s a pain in the butt to get them weighted, balanced, and calibrated—so much so that it usually outweighs their usefulness. But the DJI RS4 Pro (and a couple of versions before it) make it so easy that you just turn it on, flip a switch, and it’s ready to go,” shared Nick LaClair of SproutVideo.
15. Tripod System
Video tripods are expensive, especially relative to photo tripods. The reason? Smoothness. It’s expensive to produce a tripod so smooth you won’t notice when watching the footage back. This is also why tripods made for photography generally don’t translate to video.
Sachtler Flowtech75 MS Tripod System ($2199.99)
“Sachtler is the best tripod brand, and they have been forever,” shared Nick LaClair of SproutVideo, “The Flowtech is a carbon fiber tripod that is super lightweight and quick to adjust. Until Flowtech came out, all professional video tripod systems were time-consuming to adjust.
“You would unscrew the legs, let them come down, and screw them all back in. It took forever, and it was clunky. This Flowtech75 system made my life much easier. The one caveat is you have to put it in a rugged case because it’s carbon fiber,” said LaClair.
Stocking Stuffers for Filmmakers Under $100
Thoughtful gifts are always appreciated. This list of stocking stuffers under $100 features items that will improve your filmmaker’s daily life and help them gain new inspiration.
16. Gaffer Tape
You can never have too much gaffer tape. It’s the go-to solution for just about any problem on set. It makes a great gift because it goes fast, and filmmakers are constantly buying it. Grab a range of colors to provide more options for its use.
Gaffer Power Professional Grade Gaffer Tape ($20)
“I’ve used gaffer tape for labeling equipment, marking floors to remember tripod positioning, securing cables, attaching camera accessories, and securing filters to lights.“ said Tim Ryan, Head of Marketing at SproutVideo.
“At $20 a roll, you need gaffer tape all the time, and you hate buying it—there’s another $20 and another $20,” laughed Nick LaClair of SproutVideo, “If you love someone, get them a six-pack roll of gaffer tape in various colors so they always have some. It’s useful for absolutely everything. There’s nothing it can’t do, but you go through it quickly.”
17. Color Checker
A color chart is important for matching colors when filming with more than one camera. In DaVinci Resolve and other software, there are automatic processes that read the color chart from multiple cameras and color grade off of them.
Datacolor SpyderCHECKR 24 Color Chart ($49)
“A color chart’s colors are an absolute exact known color. They don’t shift from one color chart to the next. So when you stick that in front of a camera, the software will determine, based on what it looks like, how to correct the footage,” said Nick LaClair of SproutVideo.
18. Pocket-Sized Notebook
Inspiration can strike at any moment, so having a dedicated place to jot down ideas is always helpful. There are endless options for pocket-sized notebooks. Look for a high-quality brand or independent maker. Consider getting a notebook with graph dots for maximum versatility.
Field Notes Pitch Black Memo Book ($14.95)
“Field Notes creates a classic-feeling notebook that’s just plain enjoyable to use. They come in packs of three, which immediately encourages you to assign specific uses to each. Available in dot graph or lined, I find the dot graph provides the flexibility to quickly write or sketch out ideas,” shared Conner Carey of SproutVideo.
Smaller than the average smartphone, its size makes it easy to keep the notebook close so you’re always prepared to capture inspiration and game plans alike. “I hadn’t used Field Notes prior to this review, and I am entirely hooked on the brand now,” said Carey.
19. Videography Apps
Gifts don’t have to come in a box to have a big impact. Filmmakers use various types of apps, some of which are made for video (like the shot-planning app featured below), while others happen to be useful (like the Sun Seeker app for determining how sunlight will impact a shot).
Cadrage Director’s Viewfinder ($19.99)
“The Cadrage Director’s viewfinder comes in handy when I visit a location before filming to scout it (known as recce). I want to travel light and don’t want to lug around camera gear for these outings,” said Senthil M, Founder and Cinematographer with T-Eight.
“The app has a library of presets, which allows me to set up the cameras and lenses I plan to use for a shoot. I can take videos and stills with the lens frame line markings. This is handy to share with the production team, especially with the art department, as they will know how wide a shot will be so they can prep before the shoot,” said Senthil.
20. Online Classes
Knowledge is the gift that keeps on giving. Websites like Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, and MasterClass are popular platforms for learning or developing skills. Independent creators and small businesses (like One Peak Creative) also offer classes or mentorships that provide opportunities to build video knowledge.
MasterClass Subscription ($120/year)
“MasterClass provides a variety of content. My favorite is Sessions, which provide a 30-day curriculum that includes instruction and direct application, all toward a specific goal,” said Conner Carey of SproutVideo.
Mega YouTuber Marques Brownlee, for example, shares how to make compelling video content that goes viral. You’ll also find shorter classes to watch on your lunch break or when you have time. Not every class requires days—many can be enjoyed in a few hours, like Mark Cuban’s hour-and-a-half talk on business or The Duffer Brother’s short class on developing a TV series.”
The year-long subscription provides unlimited access to all MasterClass content.
We hope we made it tough to choose with our list of the best gear for filmmakers available this holiday season. Check our other holiday content below.
Happy Holidays from the SproutVideo crew!
