Janusz Kamiński receives THR Visionary in Cinematography Award at Camerimage in Toruń

Janusz Kamiński, a two-time Oscar winner for cinematography, has been honoured with the THR Visionary in Cinematography Award. The prize is given by The Hollywood Reporter, and he received it at the 34th ToruńCAMERIMAGE International Film Festival, which runs from 7 to 14 November 2026. According to Polish Radio, the award was presented on Saturday 7 November.

Why he was honoured

The organisers highlight Kamiński's exceptional contribution to the art of cinematography and his visionary approach to visual language. They particularly point to his work with Steven Spielberg, which has lasted more than 30 years and spans 20 films, from "Schindler's List" in 1993 to "Disclosure Day" in 2026.

Kamiński won his Oscars for the cinematography of "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan" (1998). According to the award's description, the battle scenes in the latter, with their washed-out colours and chaotic handheld shots, changed the way war is shown on screen. Both titles also appear on the American Society of Cinematographers' (ASC) list of the best-photographed films of the 20th century. Kamiński has been nominated for an Oscar seven times in total.

He has also worked outside his collaboration with Spielberg. One example is Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (2007), in which he conveyed the experience of a protagonist with locked-in syndrome through a sharply limited perspective and subtle shifts of focus.

The road to Hollywood

Kamiński arrived in the US as a political refugee from Poland. He studied at the American Film Institute, then worked as a lighting technician on low-budget Roger Corman productions and TV films. His cinematography on the TV film "Wildflower" (1991), starring Diane Keaton, convinced Spielberg to entrust him with "Schindler's List".

International media

The award has been widely covered. The Hollywood Reporter wrote of Kamiński that "like nearly every great cinematographer" he is Polish. We quote this as reported by Polish media that described the magazine's text.

What this means for you

The news has no direct legal or practical consequences for people living in the UK. For film fans, it is a chance to revisit films shot by Kamiński, and "Disclosure Day" is one of his most recent works, from 2026.