Society of Camera Operators Announces Camera Operators of the Year in Film and Television

The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) proudly announced the recipients of the 2026 Camera Operator of the Year Awards in Film and Television during its annual SOC Awards celebration on Saturday, March 7, 2026. This year’s ceremony was presented via live stream, with in-person Watch Parties hosted simultaneously in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, bringing together camera professionals across the country to celebrate the craft of camera operation.

The recipient of Camera Operator of the Year in Film is Colin Anderson, SOC – One Battle After Another. Camera Operator of the Year in Television is Mark Goellnicht, SOC, ACO – The Studio, S1E2 “The Oner”.

The SOC’s President’s Award was presented to Nick Phillips, inventor and founder of Libra Head, whose groundbreaking stabilization technology has become one of the most relied-upon tools in modern image-making. Phillips accepted the honor via live stream from Cape Town, South Africa, joining the global camera community in celebration.

The SOC also presented its Technical Achievement Award, honoring SONY’s Rialto Mini (VENICE Extension System Mini) for innovation that advances the art and craft of camera operation.

Society of Camera Operators Announces Sony’s Rialto Mini as Technical Achievement Award Recipient

VENICE Extension System Mini Honored for Expanding Creative Freedom and On-Set Flexibility for Camera Operators

The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) is pleased to announce that Sony’s Rialto Mini (VENICE Extension System Mini) has been selected as the recipient of the SOC Technical Achievement Award. The honor will be presented during the annual SOC Awards on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

This award category recognizes groundbreaking technologies that advance the art and craft of camera operation. Eligible innovations include new devices or techniques, improvements to existing tools, or significant advancements that enhance current equipment. This year’s award reflects the SOC’s continued commitment to celebrating tools that empower camera operators and elevate visual storytelling across all platforms.

Society of Camera Operators Announce the Camera Operator of the Year Film and Television Nominees

The prestigious Society of Camera Operators (SOC) is pleased to announce the nominees for the Camera Operator of the Year awards for the Film and Television categories. Recipients will be honored during the annual SOC Awards ceremony during a live stream on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with in-person Watch Parties hosted in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.

The SOC congratulates this year’s nominees:

Camera Operator of the Year – Film:

F1 – Lukasz Bielan with Natasha Mullan, “B” Camera Operator
Frankenstein – Gilles Corbeil, SOC with James Frater, SOC, “B” Camera Operator/Steadicam
Marty Supreme – Colin Anderson, SOC with Brian Osmond, SOC, “B” Camera Operator
One Battle After Another – Colin Anderson, SOC
Weapons – Michael Fuchs, SOC with Kate Roberson, “B” Camera Operator, and Connor O’Brien, SOC, “C” Camera Operator

Camera Operator of the Year – Television:

Étoile, S1E1 “The Swap” – Jim McConkey, SOC with Fanny Coustenoble, “B” Camera Operator, and Niknaz Tavakolian, “B” Camera Operator
The Pitt, S1E12 “6:00 P.M.” – Erdem Ertal, SOC with Aymae Sulick, SOC, “B” Camera Operator
Severance, S2E7 “Chikhai Bardo” – Scott Maguire with Mark Schmidt, SOC, “B” Camera Operator
Stranger Things, S5E4 “Chapter Four: Sorcerer” – Nick Müller, SOC with Nick Medrud, “B” Camera Operator
The Studio, S1E2 “The Oner” – Mark Goellnicht, SOC, ACO

Voting is open to the SOC voting membership on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Timeline

The 2026 SOC Awards timeline is as follows:

February 2026

Thursday, February 5, 2026 – Camera Operator of the Year Nominees voting opens to membership
Friday, February 13, 2026 – Technical Achievement Awards presentations due
Sunday, February 22, 2026 – Demo Day, Virtual

March 2026

Sunday, March 1, 2026 (11:59 pm PST) – Camera Operator of the Year voting closes
Saturday, March 7, 2026 – SOC Awards Show broadcast live 4:30 pm PST/ 7:30 pm EST

For further information, such as submission details, qualifications, sponsorship, and participation, email: Kristin@soc.org