Andrzej Bartkowiak

Andrzej Bartkowiak, the celebrated cinematographer, is the recipient of the ASC 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award-a testament to a remarkable career that has spanned over five decades. Trained at the renowned Polish Film School in his hometown of Lodz, Bartkowiak broke into U.S. cinema working with Sidney Lumet on the gritty urban thriller Prince of the City. This collaboration launched him into the world of iconic filmmakers, leading to him working on 11 more films with Lumet, including The Verdict, starring Paul Newman and Charlotte Rampling. Renowned for his unparalleled visual sense and his ability to glide effortlessly between genres, Bartkowiak is a true master of his craft. A legend in his own right, he has collaborated with some of the greatest directors in the business. His cinematic achievements include the character-driven drama Terms of Endearment, directed by James L. Brooks, starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, and Jack Nicholson; Barbra Streisand's The Mirror Has Two Faces; John Huston's dark comedy Prizzi's Honor, starring Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner; the adrenaline-packed Speed, directed by Jan de Bont, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock; Lethal Weapon 4, directed by Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson; and the legal thriller The Devil's Advocate, directed by Taylor Hackford, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, and Charlize Theron. His work in over 2,000 commercials is also nothing short of extraordinary, further cementing his place as one of the most sought-after cinematographers in the industry. In addition to his work behind the camera, Andrzej is also an accomplished film director, best known for the action-packed dramas Romeo Must Die, starring Jet Li and Aaliyah, and Cradle 2 the Grave, starring Jet Li and DMX. Doom was recently re released on Netflix and ranked among the top 15 action films ever made. In his most recent interview with ASC, ahead of accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award, Andrzej credited much of his success to fate and timing, showcasing his characteristic humility: "I believe the old saying that 50 percent of success is luck. You've got to be good, but if you don't get the opportunity, people never know it."