ASC Opens Entries for 2026 Student Heritage Awards, Introduces New International Category
The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2026. Winners will be selected by a jury of ASC members and announced in October 2026.
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is now accepting submissions for the 2026 ASC Student Heritage Awards, which will include a newly established ASC International Student Award category honoring cinematographer and educator Henner Hofmann, ASC, AMC.
Founded to inspire the next generation of cinematographers and support them in pursuing their creative ambitions, the ASC Student Heritage Awards recognize outstanding student filmmakers from undergraduate, graduate, documentary, and now international cinematography programs.
Colleges and universities may submit up to three qualified students per category. Eligible entrants must be graduating in 2026 or have graduated within the past year (2025).
The deadline for submissions is June 4, 2026. Winners will be selected by a jury of ASC members and announced in October 2026.
For the first time, the ASC is introducing the Henner Hofmann ASC International Student Heritage Award, a dedicated category for students attending schools outside the United States. International submissions will be administered through a separate entry process.
Submission Information
— Each school may submit up to three students per category.
— Deadline for all submissions:June 4, 2026
— Winners will be announced in October 2026.
— U.S.-based Schools - Click Here for Rules and Entry Forms
— International School - Click Here for Rules and Entry Forms
Award Categories
The ASC Student Heritage Awards celebrate the memory and legacy of some of the Society’s most influential members and mentors.
Henner Hofmann, ASC, AMC — International Award
The newly introduced ASC International Student Award honors Henner Hofmann, ASC, AMC, a prolific cinematographer, educator, and founding member of the Mexican Society of Cinematographers (AMC). Hofmann’s career included award-winning films such as The Legend of the Mask and Juego limpio, both recipients of Mexico’s Ariel Award for Best Cinematography, as well as international productions including Ground Control, Flight of Fancy, and Vampires: Los Muertos.
Beyond his work behind the camera, Hofmann was deeply committed to mentorship and education through his leadership roles at the Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos (CUEC) and the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC) in Mexico. He championed inclusion, hands-on training, and opportunities for women pursuing careers in cinematography, helping shape generations of filmmakers.
George Spiro Dibie, ASC — Undergraduate Award
The Undergraduate Award honors George Spiro Dibie, ASC, a pioneering cinematographer who helped redefine the look of network television by challenging creative conventions in multi-camera comedy. Dibie earned five Emmy Awards and seven additional nominations for acclaimed television series including Mr. Belvedere, Growing Pains, Just the Ten of Us, Night Court, and Sister, Sister. He also served as president of the Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, for 20 consecutive years and received the ASC Career Achievement in Television Award in 2008.
Haskell Wexler, ASC — Documentary Award
The ASC Student Documentary Award is named in honor of legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler, ASC. Wexler won Academy Awards for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Bound for Glory, and earned additional Oscar nominations for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Matewan, and Blaze. His groundbreaking film Medium Cool remains a landmark achievement in cinéma vérité filmmaking and continues to be studied by film students worldwide. A passionate documentarian and longtime ASC Board member, Wexler received the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992.
Tom Houghton, ASC — Graduate Award
The Graduate Award honors Tom Houghton, ASC, whose distinguished career spanned television, feature films, commercials, and live entertainment. An Emmy-nominated cinematographer for the FX series Rescue Me, Houghton also contributed to productions including 30 Rock, Love Monkey, Canterbury’s Law, Fire Down Below, and Finding Amanda. His body of work reflected a deep commitment to visual storytelling across both studio and independent productions.
For information or questions regarding eligibility, contact at Sal@theasc.com.
Photos courtesy of the ASC Archive.
