ADELAIDE, 4 May 2026 – At this year’s Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) 56th National Awards in Adelaide, it was Bob Nguyen ACS who won the prestigious Australian Cinematographer of the Year Milli Award. Nguyen also won a Gold Tripod in the Feature Films – Budget Under $5m category for Ky Nam Inn.
Bob Nguyen ACS accepting his awards by video link
Nguyen is a critically acclaimed and highly awarded member of the Australian Cinematographer’s Society and an extremely experienced celluloid cinematographer. 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 prestigious Milli Award for Australian Cinematographer of the Year for the first time. Bob’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.”
(l-r) Ray Martin AM and ACS national president Brent Crockett ACS
The 2026 56th ACS National Awards was, as always, in the ever capable and professional hands of host and MC for the evening, Ray Martin AM. Martin, in his inimitable fashion, entertained and guided the full house alongside presenters that included ACS national president Brent Crockett ACS.
Crockett 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.
Then 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 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 out the gong for Short Films with KUDUZ.
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.
Then 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’.
ACS national president Brent Crockett ACS
ACS National President Brent Crockett ACS said, “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.”
Other Gold Tripod and Award Winners included:
Serial TV & Comedy Series – Dave Cameron NZCS ACS for Madam S1E1
Branded Content & Advertising – Christian Fitzpatrick ACS for Penta Tequila – Método Penta Quintaesencia
Corporate – Branded Content, Education & Events – Christian Fitzpatrick ACS for Sub-Atmospheric Carbon Neutral Vacuum Distillation
Commercials – Budget under $200K – Jackson England for AMAN – Amankora
Commercials – Budget $200K and over – Jani Häkli for Go Mongolia
Bob Miller ACS Scholarship – Tom Waugh and Tad Errey
Ron Windon ACS Contribution award to Mick Fanning (presented to Mick by Ron’s son Steve Windon ACS ASC)
Images by Sam Oster
