The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) will honor Emmy-nominated cinematographer Patti Lee, ASC with the ASC Mentor Award at the 2022 Annual Emerging Cinematographer Awards (ECA), spotlighting promising cinematographers and providing crucial exposure needed to succeed in the motion picture industry. The honor and a showcase of the 10 final selected short films will be presented at the ECA event on October 2, 2022, at the Wolf Theatre in the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center, followed by a cocktail reception.
Lee received her bachelor’s degree from UCLA film school, and began her career lighting feature films, commercials, music videos, and television shows, working first as a set lighting technician and then becoming a gaffer. All during that time, she continued to sharpen her skills as a cinematographer on independent projects, including the Independent Spirit Award nominee, Bunny. Lee got her first big break as a DP on “The Bernie Mac Show.” Since then, she has been busy shooting both single and multi-camera television and has received Emmy® nominations for her work on Bob Hearts Abishola, Call Me Kat and Superior Donuts.”
In addition to her work as a DP, Lee produced the Emmy-nominated feature documentary A Small Act, which premiered at Sundance and aired on HBO. The film was named by Roger Ebert as one of “The Best Documentaries of 2010.”
The ECA-winning filmmakers, who have been selected from 108 submissions nationwide, are: Andrew Aiello, Green Cobra; Austin Scott Ahlborg, Lotus; Jac Cheairs, KENOBI: A Star Wars Fan Film; Morgan Gardiner, Molly Robber; Gregor Tavenner, Pleasant Canyon; Jason Chau, Sting; Michael Tedford, The Elder Scrolls Legends; Leonard P. Walsh, Kingsnake; Eric M. Hurt, Singularity; and Allie Schultz, Your Monster.
ICG’s Emerging Cinematographer Awards gives Local 600 members an opportunity to present themselves as DPs by submitting a short film with a running time of 30 minutes or less for consideration. The awards are open to any member of the Guild who is not already classified as a DP.
The films are selected by a panel of ICG members from across the country.
