Bob Nguyen ACS wins Milli Award for 2026 Australian Cinematographer of the Year at 56th ACS National Awards

May 5, 2026
Bob Nguyen on a large screen accepting his award
Nguyen also won a Gold Tripod in the Feature Films – Budget Under $5m category for Ky Nam Inn (Credit: Courtesy of the ACS)

Bob Nguyen ACS took home the prestigious Australian Cinematographer of the Year Milli Award at this year’s Australian Cinematographers Society 56th National Awards in Adelaide. 

Nguyen also won a Gold Tripod in the Feature Films – Budget Under $5m category for Ky Nam Inn

“Nguyen is a critically acclaimed and highly awarded member of the Australian Cinematographer’s Society and an extremely experienced celluloid cinematographer,” the ACS said. 

His notable works include Sut and Song Lang, with Song Lang garnering more than 30 international awards.

In 2019, Nguyen won the Golden Tripod and the Milli Award for Australian Cinematographer of the Year for the first time. 

Nguyen’s cinematography on Black Hen and Muoi – The Curse Returns also earned him double Gold Awards and two additional Golden Tripods at previous ACS National Awards.

On winning the award, Nguyen said: “It is a great honour to have won the Milli for the second time, particularly when the standard of cinematography in Australia is so high. 

“I would like to thank the ACS, all of their sponsors for putting on the awards and for everything they do for cinematographers, and congratulate all of the other nominees for their excellent work.” 

ACS national president Brent Crockett ACS added: “A huge congratulations to Bob Nguyen ACS on being named Australia’s Cinematographer of the Year for the second time. 

“It’s a powerful reflection of Bob’s consistency, craft and extraordinary eye behind the camera. This recognition is thoroughly deserved. 

“My sincere thanks to our industry sponsors, supporters and the South Australian ACS Branch Committee for delivering an outstanding night in Adelaide and congratulations to all award recipients. 

“Australian cinematography continues to stand among the very best in the world and it’s exactly why our talent is so highly sought after here and internationally.” 

The ACS also presented Hall of Fame Awards to Mark Wareham ACS and László Baranyai HSC ACS HCA, the Life Membership Award to Richard Chataway ACS and Carolyn Constantine ACS, and the John Leake OAM ACS Emerging Cinematographer Award to Emilie Lowe.

The Student Cinematography Award went to Jake Frazer for The Native Police and other Gold Tripod winners included Aaron Farrugia, who won the John Bowring ACS Station Breaks & Promos for The Block “Heartland”, Maximilian McKay, who took home the Music Videos award for “21st Century Cool Girl – Chloe Qisha”, and Haidarr Jones, who won the Neil Davis International News award for Gaza Aid Delivery. 

The Current Affairs award went to Tom Hancock for Australian Story: Betrayal, The Story Of Hannah Grundy and Dave May ACS won in Entertainment & TV Magazine for Love on the Spectrum U.S. “E7”. 

The Ron Taylor AM ACS & Valerie Taylor AM Wildlife & Nature award went to Jack Riley and Nick Robinson for The Kimberley S1E1 and Alper Kasap took the gong for Short Films with KUDUZ. 

Emilie Lowe posing with an award
Emilie Lowe scooped the John Leake OAM ACS Emerging Cinematographers Award (Credit: Courtesy of Emilie Lowe)

The Gold Tripod for Drama Series Budget Under $1m went to Brendan Barnes SASC ACS for Go and the Gold Tripod for Drama Series Budget $1m and Over went to Nicola Daley ACS BSC for The Handmaid’s Tale. 

Meanwhile, the Feature Films – Budget $5m and Over Gold Tripod award went to Stephen Windon ACS ASC for The Electric State. 

The Judges’ Merit Award went to Matthew Davies for Javelin Aerospace ‘In Our Blood’. 

The full list of winners is available on the ACS website.