The Advanced Imaging Society’s Lumiere Awards handed out statuettes for distinguished creative and technical achievement during its 14th annual awards luncheon on Friday (2/9) at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Among the film winners were Oppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, while episodic TV recipients included The Last of Us and Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2.
The Lumiere Awards celebrated “Masters and Magic” this year, recognizing distinguished directors and professionals in film, television, and emerging media, voted for by members of the Hollywood creative and technology community. USC film historian J.D. Connor emphasized cinema’s unique blend of advanced technology and emotional intimacy, highlighting how innovation has long been a crucial element of cinematic storytelling. He stressed the importance of technological advancements in expanding the possibilities of storytelling, underscoring their significance to all who love to be transported by stories in film and television.
“Our awards have humorously been called the Oscars for geeks,” remarked Jim Chabin, AIS president. “In 2023, amidst the industry’s chaos, we witnessed the culmination of years of dedication and sudden bursts of creativity. That work is so important to all of us who love film and television. The Lumiere winners of this year have notably expanded the boundaries of technology in filmmaking, enriching storytelling in remarkable ways.
The Society awarded the Best Live Action Feature Film to Universal Studios’ multi-nominated Oppenheimer with Best Actor nominee Cillian Murphy surprising the room and accepting the award on behalf of Christopher Nolan. Voters praised Oppenheimer for its sheer ambition, monumental visual achievement and its commitment to uncompromising imaging quality.
The Lumiere for Best Animated Feature Film went to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Lead voice actress Hailee Steinfeld presented the award to Academy Award®-winning writers/producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Voters praised the multiple styles of animation saying visually it was the closest thing to animating a comic book that has ever been achieved.
Best International Feature Film was presented to Academy Award®-nominee Takashi Yamazaki, director, writer and VFX supervisor of Godzilla Minus One. Voters praised the film for being a superb new addition to the Godzilla legacy.
The Lumiere for Best Documentary went to 32 Sounds and was accepted by Academy Award®-winning sound editor Mark Mangini. This immersive documentary explores sound and its power to bend time, cross borders, and profoundly shape our perception of the world around us. From foley to experimental music to the natural world, the film is a celebration of sound in cinema.
Among the episodic winners was The Last of Us which received the Award for Best Episodic – Live Action, accepted by Janet Muswell Hamilton, SVP visual effects. Star Wars: Visions, Vol. 2 won for Best Episodic – Animation, accepted by the series’ executive producers James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes.
Additionally, three special honors were handed out:
- Academy Award®-nominated actor Jeffrey Wright received the inaugural Distinguished Artist Award for his exceptional performance in American Fiction. The accolade was presented to him by his co-star, John Ortiz. This recognition aims to celebrate the often overlooked collaboration between lead actors and technology, as well as their unwavering commitment to working seamlessly with their crews. The AIS chose to honor a performer whose impactful on-screen work has not only inspired but also influenced the behind-the-scenes efforts of the entire production team.
- The EARTHDAY.ORG “Voices For The Earth Award,” which celebrates innovation and inspiration in environmental storytelling, was given to Academy Award®-nominated director Darren Aronofsky and his producing partners at Sphere Entertainment for their film Postcard from Earth, a beautiful tribute to the earth’s beauty and complexity, but also along with the Sphere, it is a tribute to the technological possibilities of filmmaking itself. Followed by a video from Aronofsky, who was not able to attend, the team from Sphere Entertainment responsible for creating the experience led by Producer Ralph Winter and Andrew Shulkind (SVP Head of Capture) accepted the award from Tom Cosgrove, Chief Creative Officer of EARTHDAY.ORG and past chairman of AIS.
- And finally, the esteemed Harold Lloyd Award was presented to Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Alexander Payne by Suzanne Lloyd, chairman of Harold Lloyd Entertainment, along with a surprise appearance by the film’s lead (and Academy Award® nominee) Paul Giamatti. Producer and nominee Mark Johnson was also on hand for the celebration. Payne, who hails from Nebraska like Harold Lloyd, similarly has a gift for creating ambitious, driven characters who not only make us laugh, but also make us care. His film The Holdovers beautifully captures the essence of genuine human experiences, portraying characters navigating life with honesty and integrity. Through its intimate and heartfelt depictions, the film pays homage to boyhood, the teaching profession, and to an iconic era in American history.
The complete list of winners:
- Best Feature Film – Live Action: Oppenheimer
- Best Feature Film – Animated: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- Best Feature Film – International: Godzilla Minus One
- Best Documentary: 32 Sounds
- Best Motion Picture – Musical: Color Purple
- Best Audio – Theatrical: The Creator
- Best Audio – Episodic: The Last of Us
- Best Original Song: “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie
- Best Use of High Dynamic Range – Feature Film: Barbie
- Best Use of High Dynamic Range – Episodic: The Last of Us
- Best 2D to 3D Conversion: Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3
- Best Musical Scene or Sequence: “I’m Here” from Color Purple
- Best Theatrical Scene or Sequence: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
- Best Episodic – Animated: Star Wars: Visions Volume 2
- Best Episodic – Live Action: The Last of Us
- Best Achievement in 8K Production: Satayama Niigata: Living with Snow; NHK/NHK Enterprises Inc.
- Innovation in Production Technology Award: Ryff
- Heritage Award for Media Preservation: Iron Mountain Media and Archive Services
- Sir Charles Wheatstone Award for Creative Excellence in Visual Effects: Walt Disney Studios
- Voices For The Earth Award: Darren Aronofsky and Sphere Entertainment, Postcard from Earth
- Distinguished Artist Award: Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
- Harold Lloyd Award: Alexander Payne, The Holdovers
