Mandy Walker, an Oscar-nominated cinematographer, has been elected as the 48th President of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the first woman to hold this role in the organisation's 100-year history. The ASC was founded in 1919 and is considered one of the most important organisations for cinematographers.

Walker made history in 2023 when she became the first woman to win the coveted ASC Award for Best Cinematography in a Feature Film for her work on Baz Luhrmann's film "Elvis". She was also only the third woman to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Cinematography category. Her other well-known works include Luhrmann's "Australia", "Hidden Figures", "The Mountain Between Us", "Lantana", "Tracks", "Snow White" and Disney's "Mulan".

"It is a great honour to be President of the ASC - and an even greater privilege to be the first woman in this position," said Walker. "I am deeply grateful for the responsibility of representing a society that has created an inspiring and inclusive space for exchange and support among cinematographers. I am proud of our over century-old legacy of advancing the art and science of cinematography and look forward to the future of our organisation."

Walker emphasised that she would work to offer ASC members opportunities for further training, exchange and career development. She also wants to raise public awareness of the importance of diversity and representation behind the camera.

She succeeds Shelly Johnson, who has completed his term and handed over the presidency to Walker. Other board members include Eric Steelberg, John Simmons and Patrick Cady as vice presidents, Charles Minsky as treasurer, Dejan Georgevich as secretary and Charlie Lieberman as sergeant-at-arms. The extended board also includes renowned names such as Natasha Braier, Alice Brooks, Russell Carpenter, Richard Crudo, Karl-Walter Lindenlaub, Tommy Maddox-Upshaw, Erik Messerschmidt, M. David Mullen, Cynthia Pusheck and Amy Vincent. Substitute members are Chris Chomyn, Ernest Dickerson, Polly Morgan and Wally Pfister.

In addition to her work on feature films, Walker has also directed advertising campaigns, including Baz Luhrmann's famous Chanel No. 5 campaign with Nicole Kidman and Gisele Bündchen. She is a member of the Australian Cinematographers Society and has served as a Governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Walker has received numerous awards for her work, including the Milli Award from the ACS, several awards from the Film Critics Circle of Australia and the Order of Australia Medal.

Variety reports in detail.