Michael Bauman won the top prize in the theatrical feature category at the 40th American Society of Cinematographers Awards, taking place on March 8, 2026, for his cinematographic work on Warner Bros.’ “One Battle After Another.” The honor marks a notable night for the cinematographic community, as the ASC’s five feature film nominees—including Dan Laustsen for “Frankenstein,” Darius Khondji for “Marty Supreme,” Autumn Durald Arkapaw for “Sinners,” and Adolpho Veloso for “Train Dreams”—perfectly matched the Oscar nominees in the cinematography category. The event, led by Mandy Walker, the first woman to head the century-old society established in 1919, celebrated excellence across TV, music videos, and theatrical features.
Top Winners and Historic Achievements
Beyond the feature film category, the 40th ASC Awards highlighted diverse talent across multiple disciplines. Adam Newport-Berra earned recognition for his work on the half-hour series “The Studio,” while a tie in the one-hour regular series category honored both Alex Disenhof for “Task” and Christophe Nuyens for “Andor.” In a particularly noteworthy moment, seven-time ASC nominee Rodrigo Prieto finally secured his first award, winning in the music video production category for Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.” These victories underscored the breadth of cinematographic excellence being recognized throughout the industry.
The night also honored acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro with the prestigious ASC Board of Governors Award, given by director Jason Reitman. Reitman’s humorous introduction showcased del Toro’s enduring dream to bring to screen Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” a project the acclaimed director had envisioned since childhood. The award recognized del Toro’s significant impact to cinema and his effect on the cinematography field. Meanwhile, Mandy Walker’s ongoing role as the first female president of the American Society of Cinematographers represented a significant achievement for the organization, underscoring its commitment to diversity and innovation.
- Rodrigo Prieto earns first ASC award for Taylor Swift music video
- Adam Newport-Berra recognized for 30-minute series cinematography
- Guillermo del Toro obtains ASC Board of Governors Award
- Mandy Walker heads society as first woman president
Female Professionals Overcoming Obstacles in the Industry
The 40th ASC Awards ceremony marked a important milestone for women in cinematography, with Mandy Walker’s continued presence as president reflecting the industry’s evolving landscape. Walker, who made history in 2024 as the inaugural female recipient of the top cinematography prize for Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” has become a trailblazer for the long-established organization. Her leadership highlights a wider transformation within the American Society of Cinematographers, an institution established over a century ago that is actively elevating and elevating female talent behind the camera and in executive positions.
Throughout the night, Walker highlighted the society’s commitment to diversity and advancement, stating that the ASC represents “a diverse representative international group of cinematographers that advance camaraderie, education, exchange of ideas and the progress of the technology of cinematography.” Her perspective goes further than acknowledging personal accomplishments to building an environment where cinematographers of diverse origins can flourish and participate to the art form. This message echoed across the ceremony, reinforcing that the future of the industry depends on welcoming varied viewpoints and backgrounds.
Mandy Walker’s Leadership Legacy
Mandy Walker’s ascension to the ASC presidency constitutes a watershed moment for an organization that had been led by male leadership for more than 100 years. Her election shattered a major obstacle, reflecting the society’s acceptance that women cinematographers deserve leading positions in influencing industry standards and practices. Walker’s historic 2024 win for “Elvis” demonstrated her command of technique and artistic vision, gaining her recognition and esteem among peers. Her presidency now creates a platform to advocate for increased representation and mentorship opportunities for up-and-coming female cinematographers.
As the 48th head of the American Society of Cinematographers, Walker carries the responsibility of guiding the organization through a transformative period. Her direction has already reshaped conversations regarding cinematography, stressing technological innovation combined with artistic quality. By championing education and the sharing of ideas, Walker is building a legacy that extends far beyond awards ceremonies, opening pathways for the next generation of women to establish careers in cinematography with confidence and support from their peers in the industry.
Honoring Expert Craft and Artistic Achievement
The 40th annual ASC Awards ceremony stood as a reflection of the extraordinary craftsmanship that defines modern cinematography. Michael Bauman’s triumph for “One Battle After Another” demonstrated the precise technical expertise and creative vision needed to capture compelling visual narratives. His win, alongside acknowledgment of varied cinematographers in multiple categories, underscored the range of skilled professionals operating within the industry today. Spanning feature films through television series and music video productions, the evening celebrated cinematographers who push artistic boundaries while maintaining the greatest professional excellence in their craft.
The awards demonstrated a especially challenging year in cinematography, with the ASC’s theatrical motion picture nominees directly matching the Academy’s cinematography category selections. This alignment highlighted the society’s influential role in identifying superior work within the industry. Seven-time nominee Rodrigo Prieto finally claimed his inaugural ASC honor for Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, proving that cinematographic artistry goes beyond traditional film and television formats. The ceremony’s varied honorees—spanning different genres, mediums, and career stages—illustrated how cinematography remains in constant development as an key creative element.
Del Toro’s Statement About Image Creation
Guillermo del Toro received the prestigious ASC Board of Governors Award, a recognition of his profound impact on cinematic imagery and his working partnership with cinematographers. Director Jason Reitman presented the award with his typical wit, recalling del Toro’s enthusiastic support for industry initiatives and his authentic commitment for elevating the craft. Del Toro’s extensive body of work showcases an steadfast dedication to cinematic narrative, from his initial projects through his recent adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” which earned a cinematography nomination in the current year.
Del Toro’s acceptance of the Board of Governors Award represented the acknowledgment that visionary directors and cinematographers share a mutually beneficial artistic relationship. His lifelong ambition to adapt “Frankenstein” to the cinema reflected his meticulous approach to cinematographic composition and his appreciation of cinematographic artistry. The award honored not just personal accomplishment but the collaborative spirit that defines exceptional filmmaking, where directors and cinematographers work in concert to achieve ambitious creative visions.
- Del Toro’s “Frankenstein” earned cinematography nomination for Dan Laustsen’s contributions
- His creative direction prioritizes visual narrative and photographic artistry
- Recognition recognizes collaborative partnerships between filmmakers and cinematographers
Comprehensive Awards and Recognition
| Award Category | Winner and Film |
|---|---|
| Feature Film | Michael Bauman, “One Battle After Another” |
| Half-Hour Series | Adam Newport-Berra, “The Studio” |
| One-Hour Regular Series (Tie) | Alex Disenhof, ASC, “Task” and Christophe Nuyens, SBC, “Andor” |
| Limited or Anthology Series/Television Movie | Michael Bauman, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” |
| Music Video | Rodrigo Prieto, “The Fate of Ophelia” |
| ASC Board of Governors Award | Guillermo del Toro |
| Feature Film Nomination | Dan Laustsen, “Frankenstein” |
| Feature Film Nomination | Darius Khondji, “Marty Supreme” |
| Feature Film Nomination | Autumn Durald Arkapaw, “Sinners” |
The 40th American Society of Cinematographers Awards event showcased the scope of excellence in cinematography across various formats and mediums. The five feature film contenders—including nominees and winners for “Frankenstein,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” and “Train Dreams”—aligned perfectly with the Oscars cinematography category, underscoring the ASC’s sustained impact in recognizing industry standards. Over the past 39 years, the ASC has corresponded to the cinematography Oscar winner on 18 occasions, establishing its status as a barometer for technical and artistic excellence in filmmaking.