Michael Bauman Wins ASC Award for "One Battle After Another"

Michael Bauman has been awarded the prestigious Theatrical Feature Film prize at the 40th annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards for his work on "One Battle After Another." The ceremony took place on March 8, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. This marks Bauman's first ASC Award and nomination in the feature film category, where he competed against notable cinematographers including Autumn Durald Arkapaw for "Sinners," Darius Khondji for "Marty Supreme," Dan Laustsen for "Frankenstein," and Adolpho Veloso for "Train Dreams."

The Wrap

The ASC Awards also recognized achievements in television. Adam Newport-Berra won for the half-hour series category with "The Studio," while Pete Konczal took home the award for "Black Rabbit" in the limited/anthology series category. The one-hour regular series category ended in a rare tie, with Alex Disenhof for "Task" and Christophe Nuyens for "Andor" both receiving accolades for their respective episodes.

IndieWire

Bauman's win positions him as a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Award for Best Cinematography, as the ASC winners often align with Oscar nominees. Historically, the ASC's choice has matched the Oscar winner nearly half the time, with 18 matches in the past 39 years. However, the ASC and the Academy have diverged in their selections in recent years, making the upcoming Oscars particularly competitive.

Hollywood Reporter

The ASC Awards ceremony also featured several honorary awards. Guillermo del Toro received the ASC Board of Governors Award, while Robert Yeoman was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. M. David Mullen received the Career Achievement in Television Award, and Cynthia Pusheck was presented with the Presidents Award. The event was hosted by Kerri Kenney-Silver, who added a light-hearted touch to the proceedings.

Michael Bauman Wins American Society of Cinematographers Award For “One Battle After Another”

While the ASC Awards celebrate achievements in cinematography, there has been ongoing criticism regarding the lack of diversity among nominees and winners in the past. Although the ASC has made strides in recent years, with Mandy Walker becoming the first woman to win the top prize in 2023, the industry continues to face scrutiny over gender representation.

Variety Magazine

• “We live in a very, very dangerous moment in which we are being told that image is something you can get on an app that anyone can create, and I say fuck, no.” — Guillermo del Toro, Director

Variety Magazine

• “ del Toro went on to say, “When we come together, when we really vouch never to relinquish our duty, it doesn’t matter what the industry does, it doesn’t matter what the media does, it doesn’t matter what you can get on the phone or on the tablet.” — Guillermo del Toro, Director

Variety Magazine

Michael Bauman's recognition at the ASC Awards for "One Battle After Another" not only highlights his talent but also sets the stage for a competitive awards season ahead. As the film industry continues to evolve, the ASC Awards serve as a significant barometer for cinematic excellence and the ongoing dialogue surrounding diversity and representation in film.

Michael Bauman Wins American Society of Cinematographers Award For “One Battle After Another”