ASC Student Heritage Award
Annual cinematography competition from the American Society of Cinematographers recognizing outstanding visual achievement in student films, with cash prizes and industry mentorship.
Overview
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Student Heritage Award is an annual competition that recognizes outstanding cinematography in student films. Established to encourage the next generation of visual storytellers, the award is presented by the ASC, the most prestigious professional organization for cinematographers in the United States. Winning the ASC Student Heritage Award is one of the most meaningful credentials an aspiring cinematographer can earn before entering the professional world.
The ASC has included among its members virtually every major cinematographer in Hollywood history, from Gregg Toland to Roger Deakins. The Student Heritage Award connects emerging talent with this lineage, providing winners with recognition from the profession's highest authority and direct access to working ASC members.
The competition evaluates cinematographic achievement specifically, not overall filmmaking quality. Judges assess lighting, camera movement, composition, exposure, color, and the way visual choices serve the story. This discipline-specific focus makes the award particularly valuable for students committed to a career in camera and lighting.
What It Covers
- First Place -- $5,000 cash prize
- Additional prizes for runners-up and honorable mentions
- ASC recognition -- winners are honored at an ASC event and gain visibility within the cinematography community
- Industry networking -- winners connect with ASC members who serve as informal mentors and professional contacts
- Resume credential -- the ASC Student Heritage Award is recognized across the industry as a mark of exceptional visual talent
Eligibility
The competition is open to cinematography students and recent graduates of accredited film programs in the United States and internationally. Entries must be student films produced as part of an academic curriculum. The cinematographer submitting the entry must have served as the director of photography on the film. Films must meet specific length and format requirements published annually on the ASC website.
How to Apply
Entries are submitted through the ASC's application portal. Submissions typically open in the summer with a deadline in September. Each entry must include the film, a credit list confirming the cinematographer's role, and a brief statement about the visual approach. There is no entry fee.
Who Should Apply
Film students whose primary interest is cinematography and whose student work demonstrates strong visual craft. The competition rewards technical proficiency, creative vision, and the ability to use light, color, and camera movement to tell a story. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate level are eligible.
See Also
For understanding cinematography career paths, see Cinematography Essentials. To apply cinematography concepts, use the Depth of Field Calculator.
