The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) held its 39th annual ASC Awards on Sunday night (2/23) at the Beverly Hilton with Edward Lachman, ASC earning the marquee theatrical feature film honor for Maria. In his acceptance remarks, Lachman thanked, among others, director Pablo Larrain and actor Angelina Jolie who portrayed Maria Callas. Lachman noted that this was his second film with Larrain whom he described as “a cinematographer himself” in terms of how he thinks about images and camera movement. Lachman also hailed Jolie’s performance for capturing the spirit and heart of Callas. Lachman said he found Callas’ story inspiring, sharing that she suffered from an autoimmune disease the last 20 years of her life, but continually fought for perfection to become one of the greatest artists and opera singers of all time. He said her life is motivation for artists to rise above their circumstances to create and express themselves through their art.
This marks Lachman’s first ASC Award win in a theatrical or television category. He was previously nominated for Far From Heaven (2003), Mildred Pierce (2011), Carol (2016) and El Conde (2024, Lachman’s first film with director Larrain). Lachman was honored with the ASC’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
The 39th ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards also honored Jomo Fray for Nickel Boys in the Spotlight Award category, which recognizes stellar cinematography in independent, foreign or art-house type/festival films. Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw topped the documentary category for Gaucho Gaucho.
ASC Award winners in television were Robert Elswit, ASC for Ripley, Sam McCurdy, ASC, BSC for Shōgun, and Richard Rutkowski, ASC for Sugar.
Elswit previously earned an ASC Award for There Will be Blood (2008), as well as a nomination for Good Night, and Good Luck (2006). This was Rutkowski’s third nomination following nods for episodes of Manhattan in 2014 and 2015. And this is the second ASC Award for Dweck and Kershaw who won in 2021 for The Truffle Hunters.
In the music video category, Pepe Avila del Pino, AMC received the ASC Award for“313” performed by Residente, Silvia Pérez Cruz and Penelope Cruz.
Honorary awards at the ceremony included Kathleen Kennedy receiving the ASC Board of Governors Award (presented by Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS). Andrzej Bartkowiak, ASC was bestowed the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by Michael Douglas). The Career Achievement in Television Award was given to Michael Goi, ASC, ISC (presented by Diane Baker and Randal Kleiser). John Simmons, ASC was awarded the Presidents Award (presented by Bradford Young, ASC), and Joan Churchill, ASC earned the Lifetime Documentary Award (presented by Buddy Squires, ASC.) Pete Romano, ASC received the Curtis Clark Technology Award (presented by Cynthia Pusheck, ASC).
Here’s a category-by-category rundown of the evening’s winners:
Theatrical Feature Film
Edward Lachman, ASC for “Maria” (Netflix)
Episode of a Half Hour Series
Richard Rutkowski, ASC for “Sugar” – Episode “Starry-Eyed” (Apple TV+)
Limited or Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Robert Elswit, ASC for “Ripley” – Episode “Lucio” (Netflix)
Episode of a One-Hour Regular Series
Sam Mccurdy, ASC, BSC for “Shōgun” – Episode “Crimson Sky” (FX)
Spotlight Award
Jomo Fray for “Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios)
Documentary Award
Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw for “Gaucho Gaucho” (Jolt)
ASC Music Video Award
Pepe Avila del Pino, AMC for “313” (Performed by Residente, Sílvia Pérez Cruz and Penelope Cruz)
