Inducted into ACS Hall of Fame – 1997
Peter James was born on March 31, 1947 in Sydney. Peter is a proud accredited member of the Australian Cinematographers Society, Canadian Society of Cinematographers and American Society of Cinematographers, as well as being a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar)
Peter has won the ACS Milli Award and been named Cinematographer of the Year four times. 1971 ‘Willi Willi’ 1976 ‘Caddie’, 1992 ‘Black Robe’, 1993 ‘Alive’. The Australian Film Institute’s Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography three times. 1985 ‘Rebel’, 1986 ‘The Right Hand Man’, 1992 ‘Black Robe’. In 2008 he received the AFI International Award of Excellence in filmmaking. Peter was also Nominated for an Emmy Award for his Cinematography of the 2003 television film ‘Starring Pancho Villa as Himself’ and also won the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television – Genie Award in 1991 for his outstanding cinematography of ‘Black Robe’. As of 2010 Peter has been Director of Photography on more than thirty feature films. The OSCAR winning, Driving Miss Daisy, The Irishman, Mr Johnson, The Thing called Love, My Life, Paradise Road, The Newton Boys, Double Jeopardy, Meet the Parents, Bride of the Wind, The Man who Sued God, The Pacifier, 27 Dresses, Mao’s Last Dancer, Yogi Bear ( in 3D) plus many more.
It should be acknowledged Peter has had a remarkable collaboration with Australian Director Bruce Beresford, having worked together on a dozen films.
Peter is also a very keen still photographer and has had several exhibitions in Sydney, Toronto and Los Angeles.
His book LIFESAVER was published 1983
In 1999, Peter was inducted into the Australian Cinematographers Society HALL of FAME for having made a substantial contribution to the film industry and the Society. In 2008 Peter was also made a LIFE MEMBER of the Society.
Peter, passionate about his craft has produced a legacy of outstanding work and is dedicated to passing on his knowledge of cinematography, and setting a fine example for his colleagues.