Patrick Prior | ACS Award-Winning Cinematographer

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Patrick Prior is a standout Director of Photography in the South Australian film industry, recognized for bringing a high-end, narrative-driven aesthetic to both independent and major productions. He holds the distinction of being the Inaugural recipient of the SA ACS Emerging Cinematographer Award, a prestigious title presented by Oscar-winner John Seale, marking him as the unanimous choice of industry leaders.

With a reputation for technical precision and creative blocking, Patrick recently earned a Gold Award at the ACS SA & WA Awards for his work on the Western short film Edith. His ability to deliver a "million-dollar look" on indie schedules has made him a rising force in the Australian camera department.​

His technical foundation is built on major productions, having served in the camera department as Video Split on The Fox (2024) and the My Brilliant Career series (2025). He also brings extensive experience as a Camera Operator on WTFN’s Paramedics and Breakout Productions shark documentaries.

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Key Career Milestones

• Inaugural Winner: SA ACS Emerging Cinematographer Award.

• ACS Gold Medalist: Best Cinematography (Short Film) for Edith.

• Runner-up: Most Accurate Lighting – ShotDeck Recreations Contest

• Feature Credits: Camera department for major South Australian features including My Brilliant Career (2025), The Fox, and With or Without You.

• Documentary Expertise: Camera Operator for Discovery’s Shark Week and high-end natural history series for Love Nature.​

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Current Projects (2026)

• Astray (Director of Photography)

• Lawless Entanglement (Director of Photography)​​

• Wolf Creek 3 (Video Split Operator)

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"I was impressed by (Patrick's) ability to consistently highlight & reveal new information on screen through clever blocking & camera movements - you're developing a strong sense of craft in cinematography" - Mark Shaba​