40th ASC Awards Celebrate Cinematography's Evolution

Kerri Kenney-Silver Hosts Milestone Ceremony Honoring Visual Storytelling

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) held its 40th annual Outstanding Achievement Awards on March 8th at the Beverly Hilton, with actor, writer, and producer Kerri Kenney-Silver as the host. The event, livestreamed globally, marked a significant milestone for the organization, growing from its humble beginnings with around 100 attendees hosted by Gregory Peck to an audience exceeding 1,100 today.

Why it matters

The ASC Awards have long been recognized for honoring excellence in cinematography across film, television, music video, and documentary. This year's ceremony included a look back at the Society's history, celebrating four decades of groundbreaking visual artistry and the evolution of the craft.

The details

One of the evening's highlights was the presentation of the Episode of a Half-Hour Series Award, sponsored by Red Digital Cinema. Adam Newport-Berra was awarded for his work on The Studio – 'The Oner.' This win marked Newport-Berra's first ASC Award nomination, building on his previous success with an Emmy Award for the same project in 2025. The Career Achievement in Television Award was presented to M. David Mullen, ASC, by actress Rachel Brosnahan. Mullen's cinematography played a key role in defining the visual style of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, blending classical techniques with expressive color.

  • The 40th ASC Awards ceremony was held on March 8th, 2026.
  • The first ASC Awards ceremony was hosted by Gregory Peck and attended by approximately 100 people.

The players

Kerri Kenney-Silver

An actor, writer, and producer who hosted the 40th ASC Awards ceremony.

Adam Newport-Berra

A cinematographer who won the Episode of a Half-Hour Series Award for his work on The Studio – 'The Oner.'

M. David Mullen, ASC

A cinematographer who received the Career Achievement in Television Award for his work, including on the series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Rachel Brosnahan

An actress who presented the Career Achievement in Television Award to M. David Mullen, ASC.

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)

The organization that hosts the annual Outstanding Achievement Awards, celebrating excellence in cinematography.

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The takeaway

The 40th ASC Awards ceremony celebrated the evolution of cinematography, honoring innovative techniques like single-take sequences and the importance of visual style in television. The event highlighted the enduring significance of the ASC in recognizing and promoting excellence in the art of visual storytelling.