The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) will recognize Oscar-winning actress/producer Viola Davis with its 2023 ASC Board of Governors Award, which will be presented at the organization’s 37th Annual ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement Gala at the Beverly Hilton on Mar. 5, 2023.
The ASC Board of Governors Award recognizes individuals in the industry whose body of work has made significant and indelible contributions to cinema. It is reserved for filmmakers who are champions for directors of photography and the visual art form. Previous recipients include Sofia Coppola, Jeff Bridges, Angelina Jolie, Denzel Washington, Ridley Scott, Barbra Streisand, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Christopher Nolan, Morgan Freeman, Francis Ford Coppola, Sally Field, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg, among others.
“We’re thrilled to be honoring the brilliant and talented Viola Davis for her exceptional contributions to cinema and television,” ASC President Stephen Lighthill said in a statement. “As an artist, no one sets the bar higher. She is a true collaborator and an important voice in our community.”
“Viola Davis’ distinguished contributions to storytelling cannot be overstated. Who hasn’t left a theater impacted by a performance by this amazing talent? We cannot wait to celebrate and thank her for her sharing her art,” added ASC Awards Chairman Chuck Minsky.
Davis made history as the first Black actress to win an Oscar (Fences), an Emmy (How to Get Away with Murder), and two Tony Awards (Fences, King Hedley). She has also won five SAG Awards and has written a bestselling book. Her TV credits include How to Get Away With Murder, Scandal, and United States of Tara, and she recently played Michelle Obama in Showtime’s drama series The First Lady.
On the big screen, Davis is best known for her searing performances in Fences, The Help, Doubt, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, as well as the acclaimed thrillers Widows and Prisoners, and for the last several years, she has been busy playing Amanda Waller in the DCU.
In 2012, Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, founded JuVee Productions, which is focused on giving a voice to the voiceless through strong, impactful, and culturally relevant narratives. The Los Angeles-based, artist-driven company produces film, television, and digital content across all forms of entertainment.
Davis can currently be seen on the big screen portraying General Nanisca in Gina Prince-Bythwood‘s historical epic The Woman King, which tells the remarkable true story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s.
Davis’ performance has her back in contention for another Oscar nomination, so stay tuned to Above the Line‘s awards-themed talk show For Your Consideration, which will reassess her chances in the weeks ahead.
