Walker,whose stellar career has includedLantana,Australia,Hidden Figures,Mulanand Disney’s upcomingSnow White,won for Elvis at the AACTA Industry Awards in Sydney on Monday – the first of two ceremonies at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney this week.
It’s a significant breakthrough for women cinematographers considering none had won for shooting a film at the AACTA or preceding Australian Film Institute Awards dating back to 1976,or at the BAFTAs going back to 1963.
At the Oscars Australia’s Ari Wegner (The Power of the Dog) became only the second woman to be nominated in more than 90 years earlier this year. She missed out to fellow Australian Greig Fraser forDune.
Walker’s triumph comes after a scathing report released mid-year,commissioned by the Australian Cinematographers Society,found that camera departments on film and television sets were havens for sexual harassment,bullying and poor mental health. And that of all the Australian films and scripted TV series made from 2011 to 2019,men shot 91 per cent of them.
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Walker has been nominated twice before at the AACTAs and AFIs,forThe Well andTracks.The only other women nominated for best cinematography in a film have been Sally Bongers (Sweetie) and Bonnie Elliott (Spear andH Is For Happiness).
“What a great honour it is to be the first woman to win this award,” Walker said,after receiving a standing ovation when her breakthrough was announced. “Hopefully,it opens the door for many more.”
“It feels shocking that it’s taken this long,” she said after the awards. “But I’m so proud. Things are improving and we’ve got there now. I hope it’s made people aware that we’re here and we’re doing great work and we’re getting recognised for it.”