The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) has chosen seven honourees to receive the 2026 Emerging Cinematographer Awards.
The 28th annual awards gala and reception will be held at the Directors Guild of America Theater on Friday 2 October 2026.
The seven filmmakers, selected from over 100 submissions, are:
- Connor Van Bodell, The Resistance
- Blaine Dunkley, Week One
- Amy Faust, Photography
- Barbie Leung, What Do We Call This?
- Jordan Oglesby, The Interview
- Jannis Schelenz, The Way We Carry Water
- Haley Watson, Songs of Black Folk
The ECAs honour ICG members who are not yet classified as directors of photography, identifying the “next generation of visionary filmmakers and highlighting their skill as visual storytellers”.
The awards are presented to the directors of photography of short films, under 30 minutes in length, and the honourees are selected by a panel of established Local 600 members.
“Elevating and mentoring emerging talent is crucial for securing the future of our art and our industry,” said John Lindley ASC, national president of Local 600.
“It’s also one of the most rewarding aspects of our mission, and it’s a great honour to celebrate this year’s awards recipients who inspire us all to join them in advancing our craft.
“This year, we welcome a new co-chair, Amy Vincent ASC, who joins Steven Poster ASC and Eduardo Fierro SVC in this celebration.”
“With nearly 30 years of filmmakers honoured at the ECA, we can see how these awards help grow careers,” added director of photography Amy Vincent ASC, a 1996 and 1998 ECA honouree, who joins the ECA Committee this year as a new co-chair.
“It’s an honour to contribute to this impactful awards programme. Congratulations to all of this year’s honourees!”
During the awards ceremony, the ICG will screen the honourees’ seven short films and present the Distinguished Filmmaker Award and Mentor Award.
Both special awards honourees will be announced at a later date.
