The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) will celebrate the 35th ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards on April 18, 2021. The annual ceremony will be streamed live from the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood, with plans for a simultaneous in-person component to be determined at a later date. The last time the ASC held their awards at the historic society headquarters was in February 1987–at the 1st Annual ASC Awards. The winner that year: Jordan Cronenweth, ASC for Peggy Sue Got Married, presented by Gregory Peck.
“The ASC Awards recognize the finest work of the year and its exceptional creators,” noted ASC Awards co-chair Dana Gonzales. “We look forward to celebrating the exceptional visual art of the many talented cinematographers contributing to the stories that are entertaining us through these unprecedented times.”
The organization has also officially opened the call for entries in four television categories:
- Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Commercial
- Episode of a One-Hour Television Series – Non-Commercial
- Episode of a Half-Hour Television Series
- Motion Picture, Limited Series, or Pilot Made for TV
The deadline to enter is January 8, 2021, by 5 p.m. PST. To qualify, shows must have a premiere date in the United States between October 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. The shift in the eligibility period reflects adjustments for the new awards date. Entry forms can be filled out online here on the ASC website.
In addition to the TV categories, the ASC Awards recognizes outstanding cinematography in feature films and documentaries. The Spotlight Award, introduced in 2014, recognizes cinematography in features that typically screen at film festivals, internationally or in limited theatrical release. The ASC Documentary Award recognizes exceptional cinematography in nonfiction filmmaking. ASC members nominate and vote on winners in both categories.
Movies that qualify for the Academy Awards® under their new eligibility guidelines for 2021 will also qualify for the ASC Theatrical Award.
A complete timeline for the 35th ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards, can be found here.
There are currently 415 active members of the ASC, who have national roots in some 20 countries. There are also 260 associate members from ancillary segments of the industry, and eight honorary members.
