James Honoured At National Awards
- Presidential Productions
- May 6, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
James Cunningham Presented With Ron Windon ACS Award at Australian National Awards for Cinematography
Sydney, Australia — Independent Australian filmmaker and former Managing Editor of Australian Cinematographer magazine, James Cunningham, has been awarded the prestigious Ron Windon ACS Award at the 2023 National ACS Awards for Cinematography, recognising his significant contribution to Australian cinematography and screen culture.
Presented by the Australian Cinematographers Society, the award acknowledges individuals whose sustained service has meaningfully shaped the craft, community and professional landscape of cinematography in Australia. Cunningham received the honour for his eight-year tenure as Managing Editor of Australian Cinematographer, during which time he transformed the publication’s profile, reach and relevance both nationally and internationally.
The ceremony was held at Sydney’s historic Luna Park, with the evening hosted by broadcasting icon Ray Martin, and attended by leading cinematographers, filmmakers and industry figures from across the country.
In her presentation speech, ACS National President Erika Addis paid tribute to Cunningham’s lifelong commitment to storytelling and the screen arts, tracing his passion back to childhood. She noted that while many of his peers were “playing footy,” Cunningham was already immersed in documentaries, cinema and theatre, driven by a deep love of writing and visual storytelling.
"James' love of writing led him to establishing his own production company, Presidential Productions, where he produces and directs his own scripts for fringe and short film festivals, winning several awards," said Addis. "To many of you in the room, James is best known for his role as Australian Cinematographer Magazine's Managing Editor for eight years. Continually striving to enhance the quality, expand the readership and provide more viable opportunities for advertisers and sponsors, he took the AC Magazine to new heights. He developed the brand and raised the profile of the magazine internationally and represented the magazine at relevant events, expos, conferences and film festivals."
Erika praised Cunningham’s “passion for the industry, his energy and his commitment,” highlighting that these qualities were matched by “his honesty, his integrity and his leadership skills.” She concluded by stating that the Society had “great pleasure in recognising James’ commitment with the 2023 Ron Windon ACS Award.”
Visibly moved, Cunningham accepted the award with humility, opening his speech with a stunned, “What just happened?” before offering heartfelt thanks. He was quick to acknowledge the collaborative nature of his editorial role, emphasising that the achievement was not his alone.
“I could not have done this without my team,” he said, thanking Ted Raymond ACS, Heidi Tobin, Mylene Ludgate and Ron Johanson OAM ACS. Referring to the magazine team as small, Cunningham described himself as “humbled and surprised,” and expressed how “privileged” he felt to have served as editor for eight years. “Thank you so much,” he concluded, to sustained applause from the audience.
The 2023 National ACS Awards celebrated a wide spectrum of cinematographic excellence, with another major highlight of the night being Mandy Walker’s award for her acclaimed work on Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Walker’s recognition further reinforced the international standing of Australian cinematographers working at the highest levels of global cinema.
For Cunningham, the award stands as a rare acknowledgment of the vital role played by advocates and storytellers behind the scenes — those who document, interrogate and celebrate the craft. His career continues to bridge filmmaking and industry leadership, united by a lifelong commitment to cinema, storytelling and the people who bring images to life.
