The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is set to honor five of its members at the 39th Annual Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Gala on February 23, 2025. Andrzej Bartkowiak, ASC, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Michael Goi, ASC, ISC, will be recognized with the Career Achievement in Television Award. John Simmons, ASC, will be awarded the Presidents Award, and Joan Churchill, ASC, will be celebrated with the Lifetime Documentary Award. Pete Romano, ASC will be honored with the Curtis Clark Technology Award. The ASC Awards Gala will take place at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., and will be live streamed globally, allowing cinema fans and industry professionals alike to join in the celebration of excellence in cinematography.
Known for his evocative visual style. Bartkowiak’s breakthrough film was the gritty urban thriller “Prince of the City,” which marked his first collaboration with Sidney Lumet. Over the next 12 years, Bartkowiak shot 11 of Lumet’s films, including “Deathtrap,” “The Verdict,” “Daniel,” “Family Business” and “A Stranger Among Us.” His taut camera work of Jan de Bont’s blockbuster “Speed” further elevated his profile.
“Throughout Andrzej’s illustrious career, he has crafted unforgettable visual narratives that have resonated with audiences and inspired countless filmmakers,” said ASC president Shelly Johnson. “His remarkable body of work stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the art of cinematography.”
Bartkowiak’s wide-ranging, memorable films include James L. Brooks’ “Terms of Endearment,” John Huston’s “Prizzi’s Honor,” Ivan Reitman’s “Twins,” Stephen Gyllenhaal’s “Losing Iasiah,” Taylor Hackford’s “The Devil’s Advocate,” and Barbra Streisand’s “The Mirror Has Two Faces” and “Nuts.” A native of ?ód?, Poland, Bartkowiak’s has also built an impressive list of directing credits with “Romeo Must Die,” “Exit Wounds,” “Cradle 2 the Grave,” “Doom,” and “Dead Reckoning.”
Goi, a three-time past president of the ASC, has compiled over 75 narrative credits, earning Emmy® nominations for his work on “American Horror Story” (2015, 2012), “Glee” (2012) and “My Name Is Earl.” He has been honored with ASC Award nominations for episodes of “American Horror Story” (2013) and “The New Normal” (2013), as well as the telefilms “Judas” (2005) and “The Fixer.” Goi has lensed episodes of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “Scream Queens,” “Salem,” “Web Therapy,” “Mr. Sunshine,” “The Nine Loves of Chloe King,” and “The Mentalist,” as well as the television movies “ “Red Water,” “Christmas Rush” and ”Who Killed Atlanta’s Children,” among others. As a director and executive producer, Goi helmed the pilot and first regular episode of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and episodes of “The Rookie: Feds”. He directed multiple episodes of “American Horror Story,” “Big Sky,” “The Rookie,” “Riverdale,” Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” and “The Gifted.” He wrote and directed the viral feature film sensation “Megan Is Missing” and directed and photographed the feature film “Mary” starring Gary Oldman.
Lifetime Documentary Award honoree Churchill began her career shooting iconic music films, including “Gimme Shelter,” “No Nukes,” and “Jimi Plays Berkeley,” which she also directed. She worked on “An American Family”-the definitive verité study of dysfunctional family life, “Punishment Park,” and “Pumping Iron,” which introduced the world to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Churchill has collaborated extensively with Nick Broomfield, including “Lily Tomlin,” “Aileen: Life & Death of a Serial Killer,” “Kurt & Courtney,” “Biggie & Tupac,” and “Sarah Palin: You Betcha!” Her work on “Soldier Girls” earned her a BAFTA, the first woman to be so honored, and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, solidifying her reputation as a leading force in documentary filmmaking. In collaboration with Alan Barker, Churchill produced and shot two TV verité series, “The Residents” and the Emmy Award-winning “American High.” They have recently brought out two shorts on Haskell Wexler, ASC, as well as the DuPont Columbia Award-winning film “Bedlam” and “Medicating Normal,” which both focus on the mental health system. Throughout her career, Churchill has received numerous accolades, including Camerimage’s Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking Award, The International Documentary Association’s Award for Outstanding Cinematography, and DOCNYC’s Visionary Award, among others.
Simmons will receive the Presidents Award in recognition of his extraordinary dedication and service to the ASC and the broader industry. A former ASC vice president and member of the Board of Governors, he co-founded the Society’s Vision Committee in 2016 to champion the advancement of underrepresented filmmakers. Simmons also served on the Board of Governors of the Television Academy for six years, where he advocated for increased diversity on set. As a revered mentor, Simmons taught as an adjunct professor at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television for 25 years. His artistry earned him an Emmy Award for “Family Reunion” (2023) and “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn” (2016). He has Emmy nominations for “Family Reunion” (2020, 2022) and “Pair of Kings” (2011, 2012). Simmons’ work spans television films such as “The Killing Yard,” “The Ruby Bridges Story,” and “Selma, Lord, Selma,” as well as numerous independent and network documentaries for PBS, Showtime, and HBO. In addition to his filmmaking achievements, Simmons is a prolific still photographer, with his images featured in the permanent collections of in the permanent collection at the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. as well as the Getty Museum, Harvard Art Museum, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, and The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago. Simmons was honored by ICG with the 2019 ASC Mentor Award and named the inaugural recipient of the Karl Kresser Heart of the Community Award (2023).
Romano, an esteemed underwater cinematographer with a career spanning over 40 years, is the founder of the underwater cinema housing and lighting company HydroFlex. A former Navy diver and member of the Pacific Fleet Underwater Combat Camera Group, Romano’s early underwater housing designs were for industry leaders such as the Cousteau Society and IAMX. Throughout his career, Romano has continuously adapted to the evolving needs of the motion picture industry, earning two Motion Picture Academy Technical Achievement Awards and an SOC Technical Achievement Award for his contributions. As an underwater director of photography, his impressive filmography of nearly 200 credits includes “The Abyss,” “Titanic,” “Saving Private Ryan,” the “Free Willy” franchise, “Waterworld,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Men of Honor,” “Tree of Life,” “Inception,” “Edge of Tomorrow,” and “A Quiet Place Part II.”
“We are excited to honor these visionary cinematographers whose artistry and innovation have transformed the landscape of film,” said ASC Awards Committee chairman Chuck Minsky. “Their lens has not only captured extraordinary images but also illuminated stories that resonate deeply within our community. Their contributions remind us of the profound impact that cinema can have on our world.”
