Camerimage’s FilmLight Color Awards: ‘Poor Things’ Colorist Greg Fisher Takes Top Prize

Greg Fisher, colorist of Yorgos Lanthimos’ fantasy drama Poor Things took the top prize in the feature film category at the Camerimage Film Festival’s annual FilmLight Color Awards ceremony. The gala was opened by Camerimage’s visiting guest of honor George Miller, followed by awards presented by the Color Awards jury president, Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker (Elvis, Mulan).

The FilmLight Color Awards celebrates the art of colorists from across the globe, “aiming to reflect the cultural, visual and technical values of the international color grading community.” It aspires to encourage the growth of the colorist’s prestige at all levels – from junior colorists to industry veterans – and to recognize the value they bring to the film industry. 

The awards event is in keeping with the ethos of Camerimage, an industry-favorite event that has long been known for its focus on the art of cinematography but in recent years has expanded its remit to honor other aspects of moving-image creation.

Camerimage’s main competition jury chief, Cate Blanchett, told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview earlier this week, “It’s very rare that those people behind the camera are celebrated and given the space in the way that they are here.”

Other FilmLight Color Awards winners this year included Manuel Portschy in the TV category, for her work on German series The Zweiflers. Nadia Khairat Gomez won in the music video category, while Douglas Dutton took home the prize for emerging talent. 

“On behalf of our immensely talented jury, I would like to congratulate the winners of the 2024 FilmLight Color Awards,” said Walker. “Each artist has shown a resonant point of view into how we can both view and reflect the world on our screen. It is brilliant to celebrate how different colorists can collaborate to shape different projects.” 

The cinematographer added: “Color is a universal language, and it has been our honor to celebrate the vivid brilliance of creatives from all over the world. From stark dramatic imagery to lush vibrancy and everything in between, we are forever inspired and excited to see what is to come.”

The full list of the 2024 FilmLight Color Awards is below. The Camerimage Film Festival concludes on Nov. 23 with an awards ceremony where Blanchett’s jury will unveil the winners of the event’s Golden Frog awards. 

Theatrical Feature

Dune: Part Two – graded by David Cole at FotoKem
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – graded by Eric Whipp at alter ego
Poor Things – graded by Greg Fisher at Company 3 (WINNER)
Saltburn – graded by Matt Wallach at Company 3

TV Series

Eric (season one, episode one) – graded by Toby Tomkins at Harbor
Expats (season one) – graded by Seth Ricart at RCO
Griselda (season one) – graded by Ian Vertovec at Light Iron
The Zweiflers (season one)– graded by freelance colorist, Manuel Portschy (WINNER)

Music Video

Brodka x Igo, “Myślę sobie Ż” – graded by freelance colorist, Nadia Khairat Gomez (WINNER)
Kaismos, “Sailed” – graded by Sylvain Canaux at Saint Louis
Nettspend, “Nothing Like Uuu” – graded by freelance colorist, Brian Charles
Shake Stew, “Lila” – graded by freelance colorist, Manuel Portschy

Spotlight (open to colorists on lower-budget features)

Asleep in My Palm – graded by freelance colorist, Andrew Ceen
La Espera (The Wait) – graded by Raúl Lavado Verdú at Misterio Color Lab (WINNER)
Showdown at the Grand – graded by colorist, Asa Fox
The Featherweight – graded by Sam Daley at Light Iron
Yurt – graded by freelance colorist, Pascal Nowak at Cosmodigital

Commercial

Air Canada, Ticket to Dream – graded by Wade Odlum at alter ego
McDonald’s, We the (In)visible – graded by freelance colorist, Manuel Portschy
Riyadh Season: Crawford Vs Madrimov, Everything Or Nothing – graded by Philip Hambi at The Mill
Zara, SS24 STUDIO COLLECTION – graded by Tim Masick at Company 3 (WINNER)

Emerging Talent

Baltic, Harmonical Diffraction – graded by freelance colorist, Douglas Dutton (WINNER)
NBA, Everyone’s Game, DC – graded by freelance colorist, Ryan Urzi
Nike Mexico, Piérdelo Todo, Gánalo Todo – graded by Stephanie Park at Rare Medium
Woolworths, Brand Reset – graded by freelance colorist, Terry Simpson