‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘The Studio’ Among American Society of Cinematographers Award Winners

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“One Battle After Another” dp Michael Bauman has won the top prize at the 40th annual American Society of Cinematographers Awards.

This year, the American Society of Cinematographers chose to nominate five DPs in the feature film category: “Frankenstein” (Netflix) — Dan Laustsen, “Marty Supreme” (A24) — Darius Khondji, “One Battle after Another” (Warner Bros.) — Michael Bauman, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.) — Autumn Durald Arkapaw and “Train Dreams” (Netflix) — Adolpho Veloso. All match the Oscar nominees in the cinematography category.

For statistic watchers, the ASC has matched the best cinematography Oscar 18 times over the last 39 years. However, last year’s winner, Ed Lachman who won best theatrical feature film at ASC for “Maria,” did not claim the Oscar, that went to Lol Crawley for “The Brutalist.”

Bauman landed two nominations this year, the other nod was for “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (“Buxum Bird”) in the limited or anthology series or motion picture made for television category.

Mandy Walker, the 48th president of the American Society of Cinematographers kicked off the night’s events. She is the first woman to lead the century-old honorary society which was founded in 1919. She made history in 2024 when she became the first woman to win the top prize for Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.” Walker said, “We are a diverse representative international group of cinematographers that champion camaraderie, education, exchange of ideas and the advancement of the technology of cinematography.”

The first award of the evening, half-hour series, went to Adam Newport-Berra for “The Studio” (“The Oner”). “Black Rabbit” also triumphed in the TV category. There was a tie in episode of a one-hour regular series with both Alex Disenhof, ASC for “Task” (“Crossings”) and Christophe Nuyens, SBC for “Andor” (“I Have Friends Everywhere”) winning.

Seven-time nominee Rodrigo Prieto won his first ASC award in the music video category for Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.”

Jason Reitman presented Guillermo del Toro with the ASC Board of Governors Award. Reitman joked as he recalled meeting the “Frankenstein” director, “I knew I had a big brother when I suggested we buy the village theater in Westwood and asked for his support, he threw his hand up so fast, I think his accountant had a hernia.”

Reitman praised the filmmaker who has wanted to make Mary Shelley’s gothic novel since he was a young boy. “Guillermo was apparently already a gothic literature enthusiast. But this is why, like any virtuoso, there is an undeniable continuity of his work. This is why there are traveling art exhibits of his creations. This is why the name del Toro means something. Guillermo is not just a director of actors or stories. He is a director of atmosphere, of shadow, of architecture, of light.”

del Toro said, “Of all the collaborations in the world of image creation, the most intimate is with cinematographer and director.”

As a lover of film, and someone who has spoken out about AI and how “Frankenstein” was handmade by his team of artisans, he said, “We live in a very, very dangerous moment in which we are being told that image is something you can get on an app that anyone can create, and I say fuck, no.” del Toro went on to say, “When we come together, when we really vouch never to relinquish our duty, it doesn’t matter what the industry does, it doesn’t matter what the media does, it doesn’t matter what you can get on the phone or on the tablet. I don’t give a fuck. When we commit to the spiritual power of images, we can do everything.”

Cynthia Pusheck whose credits include “Our Flag Means Death” and “CSI: Miami” was presented with the Presidents Award. To celebrate International Women’s Day, Pusheck honored the women who came before her, praising those whose shoulders she stood on. She recognized Walker and said, “Mandy may be our first female president, but I’m pretty sure she won’t be our last because did you see how many women were in the photo out there tonight, or how many are sitting on our board now?”

Actor, writer and producer Kerri Kenney-Silver was the evening’s emcee. Kenney-Silver took a jab at the Warner Bros. Discovery Paramount’s Skydance deal. She joked, “Paramount Skydance just merged with the valet station, so you’re going to need your ticket, plus you’re going to need to sign up for HBO Max if you want to get your car tonight.” Kenney-Silver said, “The more chaotic our world is, the more chaotic our industry is, the more inspired images you create.”

The ASC Awards honored Robert Yeoman, ASC, with the Lifetime Achievement Award; M. David Mullen, ASC, with the Career Achievement in Television Award; Stephen Pizzello, editor-in-chief of American Cinematographer, with the ASC Award of Distinction. The Curtis Clark Technology Award went to Kodak.

Full list of winners below.

Theatrical Feature Film (Sponsored by Keslow Camera)

Michael Bauman for “One Battle After Another”

Episode of a Half-Hour Series (Sponsored by RED Digital Cinema)
Adam Newport-Berra for “The Studio” (“The Oner”)

Limited or Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Sponsored by ARRI)

Pete Konczal, ASC for “Black Rabbit” (“Isle of Joy”)

Episode of a One-Hour Regular Series (Sponsored by Panavision) *TIE*

Alex Disenhof, ASC for “Task” (“Crossings”)
Christophe Nuyens, SBC for “Andor” (“I Have Friends Everywhere”)

Spotlight Award (Sponsored by Panavision)

Mátyás Erdély, ASC, HSC for “Orphan”

Documentary Award (Sponsored by Canon U.S.A.)

Mstyslav Chernov and Alex Babenko for “2000 Meters from Andriivka”