News

ASC Welcomes James Laxton as New Active Member

The cinematographer is best known for his Academy and ASC Award-nominated work in Moonlight, and his followup project If Beale Street Could Talk.

ASC Staff

James Laxton, ASC. (Portrait by Joel Lipton) At top, the cinematographer setting a shot while shooting the feature If Beale Street Could Talk. (Photo by Tatum Mangus/Annapurna Pictures)

Director of photography James Laxton is best known for his work in director Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography. His camerawork in the Best Picture-winning feature also received an ASC Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases; the Independent Spirit Award; the Los Angeles Critics Association Award; the National Society of Film Critics Award; and the New York Film Critics Award.


Most recently, Laxton re-teamed with Jenkins for If Beale Street Could Talk, based on the novel by James Baldwin. It premiered to a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2018, where it received the runner-up prize for the People’s Choice Award. His camerawork was nominated for several awards, including the Critics Choice and Los Angeles Film Critics honors. 


Laxton’s earlier work includes Tusk, Camp X-Ray, Medicine for Melancholy (which earned him his first Independent Spirit Award nomination) and California Solo.


As well as feature films, Laxton's portfolio includes music videos for Zayn and Exitmusic, and commercials for clients including Apple, Nike, Audi, Guinness, Spectrum and others.


Born in San Francisco, Laxton attended Florida State University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Today, he is based in Los Angeles.


You'll find his personal site here.




Complete details on the 15 founding members of the ASC can be found here.


A complete list of all active ASC members — since 1919 — can be downloaded here.





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