SOC Awards 2026: Colin Anderson and Mark Goellnicht Win Camera Operator of the Year
Colin Anderson Earns Film Honor for One Battle After Another; Mark Goellnicht Takes Television Prize for The Studio
The Society of Camera Operators held its annual awards ceremony on March 7, 2026, recognizing outstanding camera operation across film and television. In a year marked by industry-wide production slowdowns, the virtual livestream (with watch parties in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta) honored the craft professionals who bring directors' visions to life through precise, expressive camerawork.
Colin Anderson, SOC, received the Camera Operator of the Year award in the Film category for his work on One Battle After Another, the Warner Bros. drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film, which has already earned recognition from the Art Directors Guild and the MUAHS Guild, continues its strong awards season run across the major craft guilds.
Mark Goellnicht, SOC, ACO, took the Television honor for his camera operation on The Studio Season 1, Episode 2 ("The Oner"), the Apple TV+ comedy starring Seth Rogen. The episode's ambitious long-take sequences demanded exceptional coordination between operator, actors, and the production team.
Film Category Nominees
The Film nominees reflected a competitive year across several high-profile productions:
- Colin Anderson, SOC (Winner) — One Battle After Another
Television Category Nominees
The Television field showcased camera operators working across drama, thriller, and genre storytelling:
- Mark Goellnicht, SOC, ACO (Winner) — The Studio S1E2 "The Oner"
President's Award and Technical Achievement
SOC President Matthew Moriarty presented the President's Award to Nick Phillips, the inventor and founder of the Libra Head stabilized remote camera system. Phillips' innovation has been a standard tool on film sets worldwide, enabling operators to achieve smooth, controlled movement in situations where traditional operation would be impractical.
The Technical Achievement Award went to the Sony Rialto Mini, part of Sony's Venice Extension System. The compact tethered camera body allows operators to mount cinema-quality sensors in tight spaces and unconventional rigs, expanding the creative possibilities for camera placement on set.
A Virtual Ceremony in a Changed Industry
The decision to hold the ceremony as a virtual livestream, rather than the traditional in-person gala, reflected the ongoing production slowdown affecting the industry. Watch parties organized in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta offered a communal viewing experience despite the remote format.
The SOC Awards remain one of the few ceremonies dedicated exclusively to the art of camera operation, a discipline that sits at the intersection of technical precision and creative storytelling. As this year's awards season continues, the guild recognition underscores the essential role camera operators play in shaping how audiences experience narrative cinema and television.
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