by FilmInk Staff
The winners of the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) Awards in the NT were announced at a gala ceremony at Darwin’s iconic Deckchair Cinema. 35 awards, including 14 gold awards, drawn from 44 submissions, were given out on the night, with the winning cinematographers to go up against the other states and territory at the national awards.
The centrepiece event of the NT Screen and Cinematic Craft Summit held during the closing weekend of the Darwin International Film Festival, the ceremony was attended by the more than 40 industry delegates in Darwin for the summit, which had a particular focus on the art of cinematography. The week also included Darwin masterclass by Denson Baker ACS NZCS.
Special guest at the event, Delvene Delaney, in Darwin to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Crocodile Dundee at the NT Screen and Cinematic Craft Summit, screened some exclusive behind the scenes footage of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Russell Boyd ASC (Master and Commander) on set in 1985 in Kakadu.
Leading the night, Tully Hemsley took home a total of 5 Gold Awards across four categories, winning the Documentary category for Tracey – together with Andrew Hyde, and 4 further gold awards across Branding Content and Advertising; Corporate Branding, Education and Events and Commercials under $100K.
Two Gold Awards for Current Affairs went to went to Robert Hill ACS for ABC Four Corners stories Duped and Hunting Ground. Gold Awards for the Neil David International News Category went to went to Tristan Hooft and Hamish Harty for ABC News pieces Rhino Rays and Jordanian Drop Over Gaza respectively.
Caro Macdonald took home a Gold Award for Pencelupan – Immersion in the Art Innovation and Specialised Cinematography category.
Two Short Film Gold Awards went to Mitchell Drescher for Cornwallis and Sean Collins for Isn’t It Called True Love while Chris Tangey took home the gold in the Ron Taylor AM ACS and Valerie Taylor AM Wildlife and Nature Category with Take The Long Way Home.
Felix Baker, President of the ACS NT said “From documentaries and television news, through to the stunning pictures of advertising and drama, the standard of entries received from right across the Territory and country has been outstanding. The level of talent that calls the NT home, coupled with our visually stunning state make for a spectacular outcome on screens that is renowned worldwide. It was an honour to have special guest Delvene Delaney attend with the 40th anniversary of Crocodile Dundee, and remind us of the film, and the work of the one and only Russell Boyd ACS ASC that pioneered this international reputation.”
Screen Territory Senior Director Jennie Hughes said “Screen Territory is really proud to be a major supporter of the ACS NT Awards. Our Territory cinematographers are working in some of the most spectacular and unique locations in the world but it is their eye for the craft and their skill that brings these locations and stories so vividly to the screen. Our Summit focus in 2026 on the craft of cinematography created a rich environment for sharing skills, techniques and case studies to coincide with the biennial ACS NT Awards.
The ACS Awards NT was supported by Panavision, Platinum Partner Screen Territory and Gold Partner Deckchair Cinema.
ACS NT – 2026 Winners Full List
Documentaries
Andrew Hyde & Tully Hemsley – Tracy
Gold
Andrew Hyde – Chasing Chaos
Silver
Michael Franchi – Australian Story – Morning Star
Silver
Ron Taylor Am Acs & Valerie Taylor Am Wildlife & Nature
Chris Tangey – Take The Long Way Home
Gold
Short Films
Mitchell Drescher – Cornwallis
Gold
Sean Collins – Isn’t It Called True Love?
Gold
Felix Baker – Darwin ’74
Silver
Music Videos
Simon Manzie – Rabb Jaane Mera, Satbir Aulakh
Silver
Sean Collins – Loyalty Sold Separately, Mson (Making Something Outta Nothing)
Silver
Marcus Kennedy – Uninvited – Self Tape
Bronze
Syd Wood Acs Local / National News
Michael Franchi – A.B.C Races District-Bred Gold Cup, ABC News
Silver
Hamish Harty – Nude Golf, ABC News
Silver
Tristan Hooft – Merv Hughes Fishing, ABC News
Bronze
Neil Davis International News
Tristan Hooft – Rhino Rays, ABC News
Gold
Hamish Harty – Jordanian Aid Drop Over Gaza, ABC News
Gold
Hamish Harty – A Year After The Fall Of The Assad Regime, ABC News
Silver
Michael Franchi – The West Bank, Uprooted, ABC News
Silver
Michael Franchi – West Bank Football Pitch Dispute, ABC News
Bronze
Current Affairs
Robert Hill ACS – Duped – Four Corners
Gold
Robert Hill ACS – Hunting Ground – Four Corners
Gold
Simon Manzie – Traditional Adornment Award Winner, NITV
Silver
Tristan Hooft – Kakadu Crocs, 7.30
Silver
Hamish Harty – Barra Boom, Landline
Bronze
Art Innovation And Specialised Cinematography
Caro Macdonald – Pencelupan, Immersion
Gold
Tully Hemsley – Flowers Of The Outback
Silver
Branding Content & Advertising
Tully Hemsley – Tas Walking Co, Uluru
Gold
Tully Hemsley – Love Letters To Alice, Tourism NT
Gold
Jack Bullen – Lives Worth Living
Gold
Tully Hemsley – You’ll Find It In The NT, Tourism NT
Silver
Nicholas Lee – Menzies, School Of Health Research, Rebrand
Silver
Nicholas Lee – Mparntwe Sand Painting
Bronze
Corporate Branding, Education & Events
Tully Hemsley – Alice Springs – Acknowledgement Of Country, Tourism NT Event
Gold
Chris Tangey – Droughtmaster Australia
Bronze
Commercials – Budget Under 100k
Tully Hemsley – House Of Darwin X Merrell
Gold
Jayden Moyle – Ray White – Real Certainty
Silver
