By Brendan Swift
Andrew Commis has been named the ACS' Australian cinematographer of the year for his work on feature drama Beautiful Kate.
The award was presented to Commis at the Australian Cinematographers Society's National Awards at the Victorian Arts Centre, where awards in 18 categories were handed out on Saturday night.
ACS members David Burr ACS, David Lewis ACS and Howard Rubie ACS, were also inducted into the society's Hall of Fame.
As well as winning the Milli Award for Australian Cinematographer of the Year, Commis also picked up a Golden Tripod in the Feature Film category for his work on Beautiful Kate.
The film marked the feature debut for director Rachel Ward, and follows Ned (Ben Mendelsohn), a writer who visits his isolated family home to say goodbye to his dying father, which awakens memories of his beautiful twin sister and long buried secrets from their past.
The International Award for Cinematography was accepted via video by Robert Richardson ASC for the film Inglourious Basterds.
South Australian Kirsty Stark won the inaugural ACS-NFSA John Leake OAM ACS Award to an Emerging Cinematographer. She plans to use the $5000 cash prize on a project that will enable her and fellow SA cinematographer Vivyan Madigan to develop their skills working with 16mm film as opposed to digital formats.
Clips of this year's Golden Tripod-winning entries can be viewed here. The ACS awards will also be screened on the Movie Network Channel on May 19.
The full list of winners are listed below.
FUJIFILM's Marc Van Agten (left) and Simon Murphy (right) with Andrew Commis (centre)
STUDENT CINEMATOGRAPHY
Gold – David Rusanow (VIC) – The Fumes Python for a Pillow
EXPERIMENTAL & SPECIALISED
Golden Tripod – Matthew Horrex (NSW) – Zero
Distinction – Richard Chataway ACS (SA) – Schmackos Popcorn Schmatrix
TV STATION BREAKS & PROMOS
Golden Tripod – Michael Beresford-Jones (NSW) FINA Swimming Promo for ONE HD
MUSIC CLIPS
Golden Tripod – Tom Gleeson (NSW) – Fearless
Distinction – Jason Hargreaves (QLD) – Kate Miller Heidke Caught in the Crowd
NEWS – LOCAL/REGIONAL
Golden Tripod – Jayson Flakus (QLD) – Cane Disease Outbreak
NEIL DAVIS INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Golden Tripod – Ben Emery (NSW) – Bangkok Battle
Distinction – Wayne McAllister (NSW) – Long March
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Golden Tripod – Louie Eroglu ACS (NSW) – Detroit 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg'
Distinction – Wayne McAllister (NSW) – Cats in the Clouds
TV MAGAZINE, LIFESTYLE & REALITY
Golden Tripod – Frank Maurici (NSW) – Eskimos
Distinction – Roger Price (ACT) – Portugal – Cheese Slices
CORPORATE & EDUCATIONAL
Golden Tripod – Peter Davies (NSW) – Choices
Distinction – Aron Leong (QLD) – Bishop Brothers Engineering
DOCUMENTARIES, CINEMA & TV
Golden Tripod – John Biggins (NSW) – Feral Peril
Distinction – Pieter De Vries ACS (NSW) – Tasmanian Devil
WILDLIFE/NATURE
Golden Tripod – Rory McGuinness ACS (VIC) – Turtle – The Incredible Journey
Distinction – Malcolm Ludgate ACS (SA) – Lizard Kings
COMMERCIALS -LOCAL/REGIONAL
Golden Tripod – Callan Green (NSW) – Samantha Wills Every Moment
Distinction – Wayne Aistrope (VIC) – Herald Weekly Times 140 Years
COMMERCIALS – NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
Golden Tripod – Mandy Walker ACS (NSW) – Tourism Australia VP Sales
Distinction – Simon Duggan ACS (NSW) – Jameson's Lost Barrel
Distinction – Greig Fraser (VIC) – Tourism Victoria – Daylesford
DRAMATISED DOCUMENTARIES
Golden Tripod – Jim Frater (WA) – The Great Escape The Reckoning
Distinction – John Radel ACS (NSW) – In Our Name
FICTIONAL DRAMA SHORTS
Golden Tripod – Murray Lui (NSW) – Jacob
Distinction – Stuart Gosling (VIC) – A Love Story
TELEFEATURES, TV DRAMA & MINI SERIES
Golden Tripod – Allan Collins ACS (NT) – 3 Acts of Murder
Distinction – Mark Wareham ACS (QLD) – A Model Daughter
FEATURES – CINEMA
Golden Tripod – Andrew Commis ACS (NSW) – Beautiful Kate
Distinction – Ellery Ryan ACS (VIC) – Van Diemen's Land
NEWS DIRECTORS AWARD
Gold – Craig McKeough (QLD) – Kybong Fatal