Before the Oscars roll out the red carpet in 2026, In Cinema is presenting something better: shadows, light, sweat, silhouettes, landscapes that engulf characters, and frames so beautiful they might come with a warning.
The Art of Cinematography is a big-screen retrospective that honours the Academy Award category which literally shapes how we view movies.
Covering nearly a century of cinema, from silent-era poetry to deep, digital realism, this program is a tribute to the artists behind the camera who transform stories into unforgettable images.
This is not just a showcase of “pretty shots”. It’s a journey through changing film stock, colour processes, aspect ratios, lenses and visual language. From the dreamlike cityscapes of Sunrise to the stark shadows of The Third Man, the vibrant intensity of Black Narcissus, the painterly serenity of Days of Heaven, and the raw power of The Revenant, each film marks a significant advancement in how cinema can look and feel.
Along the way, we’ll highlight legends of the craft: Vittorio Storaro, Emmanuel Lubezki, Jack Cardiff, Haskell Wexler, Nestor Almendros, and two homegrown heroes Australians, Robert Krasker and John Seale, reminding us that Australian cinematographers have shaped world cinema for decades.
Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile who knows the difference between diffusers and dolly tracks or someone who simply enjoys stunning imagery on the largest screen possible, this program is meant to be experienced, not analysed. These films need darkness, silence, and a cinema screen that does them justice.