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.
“This year’s Technical Achievement Award process was, as always, highly competitive,” said Simon Jayes, SOC Technical Committee Chair. “The submissions were of exceptional caliber. The Technical Achievement Award Jury engaged in rigorous and thoughtful deliberations, with in-depth discussion of each entry’s innovation, practical application, and meaningful contribution to the art and craft of camera operation.”
Following careful review, the Jury has selected SONY’s Rialto Mini (VENICE Extension System Mini) as the 2026 SOC Technical Achievement Award recipient.
For more details on the award recipient and awards details, please visit SOCAwards.com.
This year’s SOC Awards will be presented as a live-streamed event, uniting the global camera community in celebration of the artistry, innovation, and excellence of camera operators across the industry. In addition to the broadcast, in-person Watch Parties will be held in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, offering members and supporters the opportunity to gather locally while participating in the worldwide celebration.
The 2026 SOC Awards will stream live on Saturday, March 7, 2026. To register for a Watch Party in your selected city or the live stream event, please visit SOCAwards.com. For more information about the Society of Camera Operators and its Annual Awards Celebration, visit SOC.org.