LONDON — FilmLight has officially confirmed its impressive lineup for the 2024 FilmLight Colour Awards, announcing the addition of renowned Australian film director, George Miller, as the guest of honor and award-winning cinematographer Mandy Walker as the president of the jury. With these high-profile figures at the helm, the upcoming event is expected to draw significant attention from the global film community.
George Miller, celebrated for his innovative direction in the “Mad Max” saga, including the acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road” which garnered six Academy Awards, will be honored at the ceremony. Miller’s films, heralded for their visceral action and imaginative visual storytelling, have consistently pushed the boundaries of cinema.
Mandy Walker, who has distinguished herself in groundbreaking projects like “Elvis” (2022) and “Mulan” (2020), expressed her excitement about leading the jury. Walker stated she is “honoured to preside over this jury in the company of such revered filmmakers from all around the world” and highlighted the opportunity to showcase the breadth of talent in the field of color grading.
Accompanying Walker and Miller are several other luminaries of the film industry who complete the jury panel for this year’s awards. Kaitlyn Battistelli, a vibrant talent from Ethos Studio in Los Angeles, brings her award-winning expertise from projects that have earned acclaim at festivals, including Sundance. Greg Fisher from Company 3, London, arrives as one of the most sought-after colorists, his recent work gracing Cannes with films like “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.
Jose Francisco Neto of DOT in São Paulo adds international flair with his extensive background in color grading that spans major episodic productions and feature films. Catherine Goldschmidt, who has worked on acclaimed series including HBO’s “House Of The Dragon,” brings a wealth of knowledge from her successful career in cinematography.
Notable Icelandic cinematographer Birgit Gudjonsdottir is also on the jury, bringing years of experience from working on diverse projects that extend from documentaries to feature films like “Goodbye, Lenin!” and “The Bourne Supremacy.” From the creativity-rich fields of advertising and luxury brand promotions, Jax Harney of X-LDN joins the jury alongside Yong Hou, an acclaimed cinematographer and professor from Shanghai Theatre Academy.
German cinematographer Tim Kuhn and Chinese cinematographer Michael Liu add to the international mix, bringing their distinguished cinematic approaches and visual innovation. Completing the lineup is Avik Mukhopadhayay from India, known for his compelling work with esteemed directors and Marina Starke from Berlin, recognized for her vibrant color grading across various media formats.
Other jurors enlisted this year include accomplished freelancers and resident experts from leading post-production houses worldwide, affirming the FilmLight Colour Awards as a truly international celebration of artistic achievements in cinematography and color grading.
The awards, open to colorists using any grading platform, will conclude with entries on July 31. The anticipation for the event builds as the finalists are set to be announced in the fall, and winners will be unveiled during the prestigious EnergaCAMERIMAGE festival in November.
For more information about the FilmLight Colour Awards, including details on participation and ceremony dates, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official website.