Brent Crockett ACS has been elected the new Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) national president.

Crockett is one of Australia’s most respected cinematographers, recognised for more than four decades of acclaimed work across feature film, television drama and documentary.

On his election Crockett said, “I would like to begin by sincerely thanking Erika Addis ACS for her outstanding dedication, tireless leadership and the lasting impact she has made as national president of the Australian Cinematographers Society. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion along with the redrafting and implementation of our new constitution has positioned the ACS as a progressive leader within the screen industry and set a strong course for the future. It is an honour to step into the role of national president at a time of opportunity and renewal for the Australian screen industry. I look forward to building upon the remarkable work of Erika, past president Ron Johanson OAM ACS and the many presidents before them, whose collective vision and leadership have shaped the society into the highly respected organisation it is today, both nationally and internationally.”

Accredited by the Australian Cinematographers Society in 1985 — becoming the youngest cinematographer to receive the honour at the time — Crockett quickly established a reputation for technical excellence and a keen instinct for visual storytelling.

His career spans an impressive range of screen projects, including the critically acclaimed car chase sequence in Geoffrey Wright’s feature film Metal Skin, the much-loved Halifax f.p. telemovies, the hit feature Crackerjack and award -winning work on the ABC series Bed of Roses and SBS’ Bogan Pride.

Across his career, Brent has received more than 40 national and international awards, recognising his innovation, craftsmanship and enduring contribution to the field.

Beyond his screen credits, he has been a committed leader within the cinematography community, serving as Victorian branch president and as national vice-president of the ACS, where he has championed professional standards and mentored emerging cinematographers.

Brent Crockett ACS added, “As we move forward, my focus will be on strengthening relationships with cinematography guilds and professional societies in Australia and internationally, supporting emerging Australian talent on a global stage and continuing to advance the art, craft and professional recognition of cinematographers through collaboration, shared knowledge and cultural exchange.”

Crockett takes over the reins from Erika Addis ACS who served the ACS as national president for four years. Under her leadership the ACS underwent important changes and achieved significant milestones.

As Addis says, “The four years I’ve served the ACS as national president have been incredibly rich, for me personally and I believe for the society.”

Her goals in helming the ACS were to increase its transparency and inclusiveness and improve its governance, to maintain the high standards of the accreditation process, the awards judging and presentations. Also to strengthen society’s social media presence, the Australian Cinematographer Magazine and the calibre of the website.

Addis believes the ACS is in excellent health and its future is bright and extends her deep thanks everyone who has given so much of their time to make this so. 

The highlights of Addis’ tenure are both visible and “under the hood” and include the ACS launching the world first groundbreaking research on the Australian camera workforce – A Wider Lens – to world-wide acclaim in 2022. Also, in 2024 the society adopted a new fully rewritten plain English constitution designed to serve the ACS for many years to come, including strengthening its “1 Society with 8 branches” identity through simultaneous branch elections held across the country.

The ACS has also maintained and grown its strong connection with IMAGO, the international association of cinematographer societies, through Peter James ACS ASC serving on their board and Addis serving as chair of the newly created IMAGO Friendship Program. The ACS also participates in the newly created IMAGO Mentorship Program.

Under Addis the ACS managed the Screen Australia funded ACS Credit Maker placement program 2022-2024 and maintained its sponsorship of Energa Camerimage Film Festival whilst simultaneously giving its full support to the work of the global collective Women in Cinematography to substantially improve the Festival’s diversity and inclusion. The Society also initiated a partnership relationship with Manaki Brothers International Cinematography Film Festival.

Addis also maintained the ACS’s voluntary role as Chair of the Australian Screen Industry Group (ASIG) and instigated the expansion of ASIG’s direct connection with Screen Australia.