HOLLYWOOD – The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) has chosen seven honorees to receive the 2026 Emerging Cinematographer Awards (ECA). The 28th annual awards gala and reception will be held at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theater on Friday, Oct. 2, 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 honor 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 honorees 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,” says 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 honor 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 honored at the ECA, we can see how these awards help grow careers,” says Director of Photography Amy Vincent, ASC, a 1996 and 1998 ECA honoree, who joins the ECA Committee this year as a new Co-Chair. “It’s an honor to contribute to this impactful awards program. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!”
The ICG extends their sincere thanks to Sony, the exclusive Premier sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include Canon U.S.A., as a Silver sponsor; and J.L. Fisher Inc., Nanlux/Nanlite, TRP Worldwide, and RED Digital Cinema as Bronze sponsors. Event partners include Picture Shop, Fourth Dimension Events, and DF Studio.
Sponsor proceeds will directly benefit the Local 600 Scholarship and Preservation Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational grants to Local 600 members and their immediate family members who are pursuing higher education.
During the awards ceremony, the ICG will screen the honorees’ seven short films and present the Distinguished Filmmaker Award and Mentor Award. Both special awards honorees will be announced at a later date.