Search the Community

FilmLight completes highly-esteemed jury, naming Mandy Walker as jury president and George Miller as guest of honour LONDON — 18 July 2024: FilmLight has finalised the prestigious jury for the 2024 FilmLight Colour Awards and announced Australian film director, screenwriter and producer, George Miller, as guest of honour, and award-winning Australian cinematographer, Mandy Walker, as 2024 jury president. George Miller, AO, is known for directing the dystopian action-adventure films Mad Max (1979), Mad Max 2 (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), which went on to win six Academy Awards with Miller receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Director, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024). Other projects include The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Babe (1995), Happy Feet (2006) and more. “Just as slow-drying oil-based paint allowed renaissance art practice to become more iterative, so have the digital tools of the colourist expanded the plasticity of each frame of moving image,” comments Miller. Mandy Walker, AM, ASC, ACS is an Australian cinematographer known for work on Elvis (2022), Mulan (2020), Hidden Figures (2016), Tracks (2013), Australia (2008) and more. “I am honoured to be presiding over this jury in the company of such revered film makers from all around the world,” says Walker. “It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to showcase the talent and scope of artists working in the field of colour timing.” FilmLight also welcomes the following international talent to complete this year’s highly prestigious jury: Kaitlyn Battistelli – senior colourist and partner at ETHOS STUDIO in LA. Kaitlyn is known for her fun and vibrantly hued films across a diverse range of platforms and her work has earned her numerous awards and acclaim. Her work on the feature film Dìdi, won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Greg Fisher – senior colourist at Company 3, London. Fisher is among the world’s most sought-after colourists and a pioneering technologist in the field of image development. Recent work includes Yorgos Lanthimos-directed Poor Things (2023), which has received multiple awards and The Book of Clarence (2023). Jose Francisco Neto – senior colourist and founder of DOT in São Paulo. His work spans a wide range of projects, from short films and feature films to major episodic productions like Disney's Aruna's Magic. He has also served as a post-production supervisor and VFX supervisor on various projects, which contributes to his unique perspective as a colourist. Catherine Goldschmidt – award-winning cinematographer known for her work on the 12th Season of Doctor Who, the Emmy-nominated show Dummy, the critically acclaimed BBC/Amazon series Chloe and HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon, for which she was nominated for a 2023 Emmy Award and the ASC Award for Outstanding Cinematography in a One Hour Television Drama. Birgit Gudjonsdottir – award-winning Icelandic cinematographer with an extensive career in commercials, documentaries, and feature films since the late 1980s, including Goodbye, Lenin! (2003) and The Bourne Supremacy (2004). The first feature film she shot, Jargo (2004), premiered at the Berlinale in 2004. Jax Harney – founder and senior colourist at X-LDN in London. With over two decades in advertising, Harney is known for her innovative approach and work with luxury brands in commercials, television, and film. Yong Hou – acclaimed Chinese cinematographer, director, professor at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, doctoral supervisor, and president of the Chinese Society of Cinematographers. Hou is celebrated for films such as Jasmine Women (2004) and Manifesto (2023) and for his collaboration with director Zhang Yimou. He has received multiple Golden Rooster Awards and international recognition. Tim Kuhn, BVK – award-winning German cinematographer, known for his influential work on series like Breaking Even (2020) and amazon series Luden (2023). Kuhn is a member of the German BVK and the German film academy and his projects, Dear Mr. Führer (2022) and Luden (2023) have both been winners at the FilmLight Colour Awards. Michael Liu – distinguished Chinese cinematographer, who has developed a reputation for his innovative visual storytelling and his ability to blend traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern cinematic techniques. Liu's portfolio includes a diverse array of films and his notable works include The Wandering Earth series. Tim Masick – senior colourist at Company 3, New York. Masick co-founded Company 3 New York in 2002 and is known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in colour grading. Masick won the Commercial award at the FilmLight Colour Awards in 2023 (Zara Man SS23) and 2021 (Dior Spring Summer 2021 Collection). He has worked on a wide variety of commercials for top directors and cinematographers and an impressive list of major global brands, including luxury fashion and beauty campaigns and projects. Avik Mukhopadhayay – esteemed Indian cinematographer known for his work with directors like Mrinal Sen and Aparna Sen. Mukhopadhayay has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards for Best Cinematography. Marina Starke – Berlin-based senior colourist with a notable portfolio in feature films, series, commercials, and music videos. Starke is a five-time FilmLight Colour Awards nominee and 2023 Music Video winner for her work on Horra by Mayyas. Jason Zukowski – senior colourist at Fort York VFX in Toronto. Zukowski worked as a DoP, editor, and director before finding his niche in the world of colour grading. He has contributed to award-winning commercials and collaborated with top directors and brands. These talented creatives join the previously announced jury members to complete this year’s jury: Ben Gervais – freelance technical producer; Mahak Gupta – senior colourist at Bridge PostWorks; Elodie Ichter – senior colourist at Light Iron; Natasha Leonnet – senior colourist, Picture Shop; Dirk Meier – freelance colourist, lecturer and 2023 FilmLight Colour Awards winner; Erik Messerschmidt, ASC – cinematographer; Yov Moor – senior freelance colourist; Robert Richardson, ASC, ACK – cinematographer; and Damien Vandercruyssen – senior colourist at Harbor. The FilmLight Colour Awards are open to colourists on any grading platform and close for entry on 31 July. A shortlist will be announced in autumn and the winners unveiled at EnergaCAMERIMAGE in November. For more information, please visit: www.filmlightcolourawards.com/ ###

Award-winning cinematographers Mandy Walker, Robert Richardson and Erik Messerschmidt amongst talented worldwide jury FilmLight today announced the first set of high-profile creatives lined up to judge the 2024 FilmLight Colour Awards, including cinematographers Mandy Walker, Robert Richardson and Erik Messerschmidt. The awards are presented annually at the international film festival EnergaCAMERIMAGE in November. Following her participation in the 2023 ceremony panel discussion with Lawrence Sher, first to join this year’s jury is Australian cinematographer, Mandy Walker, AM, ASC, ACS. Walker is best known for her work on Elvis (2022), Mulan (2020), Hidden Figures (2016), Tracks (2013), Australia (2008), Shattered Glass (2003), Australian Rules (2002), Lantana (2001), The Well (1997) and Parklands (1996). “I really appreciate the artistry of great colourists,” comments Walker. “They help the cinematographer enhance the storytelling with colour, contrast, light and darkness – creating atmosphere and focusing the audiences’ gaze to what’s important in the frame. I will be looking for consistency and colour that is not too ‘affected’, but seamlessly works with and not against the elements of the story.” Also joining this year’s jury is renowned American cinematographer, Robert Richardson, ASC, ACK. Richardson, who has won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography three times, for his work on Hugo (2011), The Aviator (2004) and JFK (1991), is a regular collaborator of Hollywood directors like Oliver Stone, Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese and known for his use of high contrast lighting, shapeshifting style, dynamic camera movements and keen eye for detail. “Judging the work of a colourist is complex, as there are many factors that play a part,” says Richardson. “For example, how early was the colourist involved? Did they create a LUT to use in camera or during post? What was their relationship with the director of photography? What is their history? With this in mind, the process of judging for me will be based on the information they provide about the project as well as how well the visuals support the story. I am excited to take part, as the colourist is pivotal to my work and I have immense respect for the creativity involved.” Also joining this year’s jury is cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, ASC, who recently had two feature films premiere at the 2023 Venice Film Festival – David Fincher's The Killer and Michael Mann's Ferrari. He also shot Fincher’s series Mindhunter (2017-2019) and feature film Mank (2020). FilmLight is also delighted to welcome the following talented creatives to the 2024 jury: Yov Moor – senior freelance colourist in France, whose work encompasses award-winning feature films, documentaries, art films and shorts. In 2024, Moor had four films at Cannes: Miguel Gomes’ Grand Tour, Gilles Lellouche’s L’Amour Ouf (Beating Hearts), Keff’s Locust andWei Liang Chiang’s Mongrel. Natasha Leonnet – senior colourist at Picture Shop based in LA and recipient of numerous prestigious accolades. Leonnet’s work includes Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), Billie Eilish: Happier Ever (2021), Candyman (2020), Mulan (2020), First Man (2018), Hidden Figures (2016) and Whiplash (2014). Mahak Gupta – senior colourist at Bridge PostWorks in India and a 2022 FilmLight Colour Awards ‘Spotlight’ nominee for her work on Shoebox (2021). Gupta is also the co-founder of ‘The Colorists Workshop’ development program designed to support and recognise aspiring colourists in India. Elodie Ichter – senior colourist at Light Iron in New York, who recently completed the grade on Hulu’s Shōgun (2024). Born and raised in France, Ichter’s career path took her to London and Los Angeles before New York where she worked with renowned directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Chloé Zhao and Ben Affleck. Damien Vandercruyssen – senior colourist at Harbor, based in New York. Damien's expertise in cinematography and colour science have earned him regular collaborations with highly regarded directors such as Sofia Coppola, the Safdie brothers and Trey Edward Shults, along with leading cinematographers Philippe Le Sourd, Drew Daniel and Darius Khondji. His work on Apple TV+'s Lisey's Story (2021) won him the ‘TV/episodic’ award at the 2021 FilmLight Colour Awards. Ben Gervais – technical producer in Canada. Gervais is a pioneer in high frame rate and 3D workflows and developed 120fps production, post, distribution, and projection technology for Ang Lee's Gemini Man (2019) and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (2016). Dirk Meier – freelance colourist and lecturer in Germany. Meier won the ‘Episodic’ award at the 2023 FilmLight Colour Awards for his work on season one of The Pimp: No F***ing Fairytale (OT: Luden). In 2024 colourists will be awarded across six categories: theatrical feature; television series/episodic; commercial; music video; Spotlight, which recognises colourists who have worked on a lower budget feature film or television movie; and, new for 2024, Emerging Talent, which celebrates the work of young colourists (age 18-35) in commercial and music video creation. The remaining jury will be announced in the coming months with this year’s call for entries closing on 31 July. A shortlist will be announced in autumn and the winners unveiled at EnergaCAMERIMAGE in November. For more, visit: www.filmlightcolourawards.com.

Entries open from 1 May - 31 July to colourists on any grading platform LONDON — 23 April 2024: The FilmLight Colour Awards return for the fourth year in 2024 with an additional new category dedicated to rising talent. The awards, which will once again be presented at EnergaCAMERIMAGE in November, are independently judged by a panel of prominent creatives, cinematographers and colourists. New for 2024, the ‘Emerging Talent’ award will recognise and celebrate the work of young colourists (age 18-30) who have worked on a commercial or music video project aired between 1 September 2023 and 30 September 2024. “The next generation of colourists is critical to the future of our industry,” says Jacqui Loran, co-director at FilmLight. “We have introduced this award to help support and encourage these emerging young talents – shining a light on their work and helping them to form a path into the industry.” The new category sits alongside the existing five: theatrical feature; television series/episodic; commercial; music video; and Spotlight, which recognises colourists who have contributed to the creative impact of a low budget feature. The awards are led and organised by FilmLight, in conjunction with EnergaCAMERIMAGE. “In 2021 we welcomed the FilmLight Colour Awards into the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival programme and we have enjoyed watching the success of the awards and the partnership grow year-on-year,” says Marek Žydowicz, EnergaCAMERIMAGE Founder and Director. “We continue to receive positive feedback about our joint efforts to shine a light on the work of the colourist and their invaluable collaboration with the cinematographer. We can’t wait to do it again this year.” For 2024, FilmLight also welcomes four new supporting partners: ShotDeck (fully-searchable cinematic image library), AMC (Mexican Society of Cinematographers), BVK (German Society of Cinematographers) and ISC (Indian Society of Cinematographers). They join the growing list of long-standing supporters, including: AFC (French Society of Cinematographers), ASC (American Society of Cinematographers), BSC (British Society of Cinematographers), CNSC (Chinese Society of Cinematographers), CSI (Colorist Society International) and more. You can watch highlights from 2023 in the 2024 teaser video, here. Colourists, production companies and facilities are invited to put forward their nominations when entries open on 1 May 2024, with a final deadline for submissions on 31 July 2024. For more information on the awards, including category guidelines, please visit: www.filmlightcolourawards.com ###