Photo by Ashly Covington

Women In Media is pleased to present The 2025 Altitude Awards, celebrating exemplary women and gender non-conforming cinematographers, gaffers, and camera operators! Women in Media applauds the work of emerging and established members of the Cinematography and Lighting departments.. We believe that it takes a team of technical and artistic creatives to tell meaningful stories. Great work deserves recognition.

ABOUT THE 2025 ALTITUDE AWARDS

The Altitude Awards is an opportunity to get your work seen by people in a position to move your career. There will be a #HireTheseWomen Networking Event and an awards ceremony. All applicants will receive complimentary invitations to join us at:

Altitude Awards Kick Off Cocktail Party
Thursday, May 29th
5:30 pm registration and cocktail hour
6:30 pm presentation
Bandpro
3403 W Pacific Ave,
Burbank, CA 91505

Altitude Awards Ceremony
May 31st ~ Save the date!
Los Angeles, CA

Hamlet – Featuring Patrick Ball (The Pitt) in the titular role, joined by Gina Torres (Suits) as Gertrude and Coral Peña (Our Dear Dead Drug Lord) as Ophelia. 
Tuesday, June 3rd
7:30 arrival 
8:00 pm show
Mark Taper Forum

Comp Ticket To Cinegear
June 6 – 7
Universal Studios

To participate, please have an up to date CrewList profile, Applications are now closed.

Winners Announced During Cinegear Week in LA, May 29th – June 7

PRIZES

There will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th prize winners, an Emerging Filmmaker Award + 10 Semi-Finalists There will be prizes for semi-finalists and finalists to enhance their kits.

• Angenieux EZ-1 lens (Value $13,655) Kipon 2x extender (Value $3,750)
• Keslow Camera Package (Value $10,000)
• Birns and Sawyer Camera Package + filtration consultation with the Birns & Sawyer Director of Optics (Value $5,000)
• Small HD 1x Ultra 7 Monitor  (Value $2,999) + 1x Camera control license of your choice (value $500)
• Filmcraft Director Chairs (Value $315), Script Pouch (Value $89), Journal (Value $20), Wine (Value $49) Chromakey Applebox (Value $90)
• ZEISS One week lens package (Value $1300)
• ZEISS Batis Lens (Value $1,249)
• Nanlux Lights (Various values)
• A Directors Guide To Everything – Jay Holben’s new book (Value $120)
• More prizes TBA

SUBMISSION WINDOWS

March 14 – April 6 Early Bird submission: $35.00
April 7 – April 27  Regular submission: $50.00
April 28 – May 12th Late submission: $75

JUDGES

Alan Caso, ASC ~ Cinematographer: Why Women Kill, The Rookie, Six Feet Under
Johanna Coelho – Cinematographer: The Pitt, The Rookie, Seance
Rachel Raimist – Director: Elsbeth, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Wu-Tang: An American Saga
Fernando Argüelles ASC, AEC – Cinematographer: Prison Break, Grimm, Swamp Thing
Nancy Schreiber, ASC – Cinematographer: P-Valley, Station 19, Better Things
Jay Holben – Director/Producer and Author: The Cine Lens Manual
Sandra Valde Hansen, ASC: The Summer I Turned Pretty, The L-Word: Generation Q,, Clean Slate
Idit Dvir – Head Judge: Film Faculty, Howard University
More TBA!

JUDGING CRITERIA

Cinematographers, Gaffers, and Camera Operators are eligible to apply. Our panel of esteemed judges will evaluate submissions based on your WiM CrewList Profile, which allows for multiple reels, an IMDB link, awards, etc. You are welcome to submit up to three additional projects attesting to your skill, artistry, and potential. There are also short artist statements. Please fill out the Submission Application here, and pay the nominal fee below.

RULES:

* Women In Media Pro or Student Members may enter. 
* To join, please apply here: https://womennmedia.com/join/
* Entrants must submit a published WiM CrewList Profile. Here are CrewList best practices.
* Entrants may submit optional Vimeo links and passwords for up to 3 projects, commercials, music videos, or scenes – we are open to looking at work that showcases your talent.  Please write the name of each project(s) and specify your crew position on the project(s).
* Entrants must sign the Parity In Action Pledge.
* Entrant must be a cinematographer, gaffer, or camera operator with a body of work in one or more of those roles to qualify.
* Submission must be of Entrant’s work. Entrant’s credit must be clear for each project submitted on the application and in their CrewList profile.
* Entry must be completed in its entirety. Missing information or failure to submit the submission fee will result in disqualification.
* There is a one-time top prize winner maximum. Entrants who have already been an Altitude Awards top 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or Emerging Filmmaker prize winner do not qualify.
* Anyone previously recognized as an semi-finalist qualifies. 
* There is a nominal non-refundable fee to enter and have your work reviewed.

If you have questions, please contact [email protected]

The 2023 Altitude Awards event can be seen here. The 2024 Altitude Awards winners can be seen here.

Please submit the application after paying the nominal fee below. Submission fees are final.

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