# Bonnie Elliott

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Australian cinematographer

**Bonnie Elliott** is an Australian [cinematographer](/source/Cinematographer). She has been nominated for and won numerous [AACTA Awards](/source/AACTA_Awards) in cinematography, including for *[Spear](/source/Spear_(film))* (2015), *[Seven Types of Ambiguity](/source/Seven_Types_of_Ambiguity_(TV_series))* (2017), *[H Is for Happiness](/source/H_Is_for_Happiness)* (2019), and *[Stateless](/source/Stateless_(TV_series))* (2020).

## Early life and education

Bonnie Elliott graduated from the [University of Technology Sydney](/source/University_of_Technology_Sydney) in 1988.[1] While studying there, she was involved in the production of student films and the teen drama *[Heartbreak High](/source/Heartbreak_High)*. One of her teachers was US-born cinematographer and documentary filmmaker [Martha Ansara](/source/Martha_Ansara).[2]

In 2006 she obtained a Master of Arts in Film, Television, and Digital Media Cinematography [AFTRS](/source/AFTRS),[3] where she studied under female cinematographers [Jan Kenny](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jan_Kenny&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Erika Addis](/source/Erika_Addis).[2]

## Career

Elliott worked as a [clapper loader](/source/Clapper_loader) and [focus puller](/source/Focus_puller) for eight years, at the same time shooting her own work on a number of short films, using [short ends](/source/Short_end) left over from her jobs.[2]

Her first feature film was *[My Tehran for Sale](/source/My_Tehran_for_Sale)* (2008), which she said would always be a major highlight of her career. Shot in Iran, the crew filmed in [Tehran](/source/Tehran) for 11 weeks. She was the only Australian, and the only female working with a crew of Iranian men, on the film about young artists living under the repressive Iranian regime, which made it somewhat risky.[2]

Elliott was requested by [Stephen Page](/source/Stephen_Page) of [Bangarra Dance Theatre](/source/Bangarra_Dance_Theatre) to collaborate with him on the production of *[Spear](/source/Spear_(film))* (released 2015), an adaptation of Page's stage work, which explores themes of [Aboriginal](/source/Aboriginal_Australians) masculinity.[2]

She shot [Meryl Tankard](/source/Meryl_Tankard)'s 30-minute documentary film *Michelle's Story*, about the dancer and choreographer [Michelle Ryan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michelle_Ryan_(dancer)&action=edit&redlink=1), who has [multiple sclerosis](/source/Multiple_sclerosis). Ryan became artistic director of [Restless Dance Theatre](/source/Restless_Dance_Theatre) in 2013. The film premiered at the [Adelaide Film Festival](/source/Adelaide_Film_Festival) in October 2015, and won the Audience Award there.[4][5] It went on to screen at other festivals, and won other awards.[6]

She filmed the short film *Drowning* with longtime friend and collaborator [Craig Boreham](/source/Craig_Boreham), as a prelude to the 2016 film *[Teenage Kicks](/source/Teenage_Kicks_(film))*, which was made on a tiny budget.[2] *Drowning* had its Australian premiere at the [Flickerfest](/source/Flickerfest) International Short Film Festival in December 2009 at [Bondi Beach](/source/Bondi_Beach) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney).[7]

In 2017, Elliott was cinematographer for "Joe", the second episode of *[Seven Types of Ambiguity](/source/Seven_Types_of_Ambiguity_(TV_series))*.[8]

She also shot the 2019 family film *[H Is for Happiness](/source/H_Is_for_Happiness)*,[9] and on the psychological thriller *[Undertow](/source/Undertow_(2018_film))*, released in 2020.[10]

She worked on the [ABC TV](/source/ABC_TV_(Australian_TV_channel)) drama series *[Fires](/source/Fires_(TV_series))*, which aired in late 2021, and the documentaries *Freeman* and *Step into Paradise*.[11]

Elliott was cinematographer for the 2023 film *[Run Rabbit Run](/source/Run_Rabbit_Run_(film))*.[12] She was one of four responsible for cinematography for [Jolyon Hoff](/source/Jolyon_Hoff)'s 2025 feature documentary *[We Are Not Powerless](/source/We_Are_Not_Powerless)*, with [Maxx Corkindale](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maxx_Corkindale&action=edit&redlink=1), Khadim Dai, and Andrew Commis.[13]

## Influences

Elliott says that she has been inspired and influenced by a number of woman cinematographers, including [Mandy Walker](/source/Mandy_Walker); [Ellen Kuras](/source/Ellen_Kuras) (*[Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind](/source/Eternal_Sunshine_of_a_Spotless_Mind)*); French DP [Maryse Alberti](/source/Maryse_Alberti) (*[The Wrestler](/source/The_Wrestler_(2008_film))*); and Argentine cinematographer [Natasha Braier](/source/Natasha_Braier). She also greatly admires the work of [Harris Savides](/source/Harris_Savides), who collaborated with filmmaker [Gus Van Sant](/source/Gus_Van_Sant).[2]

## Other activities

In 2020, Elliott devised the concept for #whoisinyourcrew, a campaign to promote female representation in cinematography.[14]

## Recognition and awards

At the [2012 Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards](/source/2012_Sorta_Unofficial_New_Zealand_Film_Awards), she won Best Short Film Cinematography for *I'm the One*.[15]

In 2016, she was nominated for the [AACTA Award for Best Cinematography](/source/AACTA_Award_for_Best_Cinematography) for *Spear* at the [6th AACTA Awards](/source/6th_AACTA_Awards).[16]

In October 2016, Elliott was accredited by the [Australian Cinematographers Society](/source/Australian_Cinematographers_Society),[17] then the 10th woman to receive the accreditation of the total number of 379[2] (by December 2019 there were 15).[18]

In 2017, she won the [AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AACTA_Award_for_Best_Cinematography_in_Television&action=edit&redlink=1) for "Joe", the second episode of *[Seven Types of Ambiguity](/source/Seven_Types_of_Ambiguity_(TV_series))*.[8]

In 2018, renowned film critic [David Stratton](/source/David_Stratton) praised Elliott's "attractive photography" in his review of *[Undertow](/source/Undertow_(2018_film))* in *[The Australian](/source/The_Australian)*.[10]

In 2020, at the [10th AACTA Awards](/source/10th_AACTA_Awards), she was nominated for the [AACTA Award for Best Cinematography](/source/AACTA_Award_for_Best_Cinematography) for *[H Is for Happiness](/source/H_Is_for_Happiness)*,[9] and won the AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television for "The Circumstances in Which They Come", the first episode of *[Stateless](/source/Stateless_(TV_series))*.[19]

In 2021, she had three nominations at the [11th AACTA Awards](/source/11th_AACTA_Awards) – the AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television for "Everything's Gone", the second episode of *[Fires](/source/Fires_(TV_series))*, and the [AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AACTA_Award_for_Best_Cinematography_in_a_Documentary&action=edit&redlink=1) for *Freeman* and *Step into Paradise*.[11] Of these three, she won only the first award.[20]

In *[Comic Book Resources](/source/Comic_Book_Resources)'* review of *[Run Rabbit Run](/source/Run_Rabbit_Run_(film))* (2023), Josh Bell said that, as cinematographer, Elliott works with [Daina Reid](/source/Daina_Reid), the film's director, to "continue creating striking images even as the plot goes in circles".[12]

### Awards and nominations

Year Title Award Result Ref. 2012 I'm the One Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Award for Best Short Film Cinematography Won [15] 2016 Spear AACTA Award for Best Cinematography Nominated [16] 2017 Seven Types of Ambiguity, Episode: "Joe" AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television Won [8] 2020 H Is for Happiness AACTA Award for Best Cinematography Nominated [9] Stateless, Episode: "The Circumstances in Which They Come" AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television Won [19] 2021 Freeman AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary Nominated [11] Step into Paradise Nominated Fires, Episode: "Everything's Gone" AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television Won [20]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Media Arts and Production, University of Technology Sydney: Successful graduates"](https://cilect.org/members/media-arts-and-production-university-of-technology-sydney/). *CILECT – The International Association of Film and Television Schools*. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Screen_NSW_2-7) Elliott, Bonnie (6 December 2016). ["Interview with acclaimed cinematographer Bonnie Elliott"](https://screen.nsw.gov.au/news/interview-with-acclaimed-cinematographer-bonnie-elliott). *[Screen NSW](/source/Screen_NSW)* (Interview). Retrieved 15 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Our alumni"](https://www.aftrs.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/?q=bonnie+elliott&Apply=Apply&sort=latest). *Australian Film Television and Radio School*. Retrieved 15 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-film2015_4-0)** ["Michelle's Story of resilience"](https://www.indaily.com.au/arts-culture/film/2015/10/14/michelles-story-of-resilience). *[InDaily](/source/InDaily)*. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["MICHELLE'S STORY"](https://bonnieelliott.com/DOCUMENTARY/MICHELLE-S-STORY). *Bonnie Elliott ACS*. Retrieved 18 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Michelle's Story"](https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/investment-fund/2015/michelles-story). *Adelaide Film Festival*. Retrieved 18 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Flickerfest launches over Bondi"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091215051100/http://www.filmink.com.au/news/flickerfest-launches-over-bondi/). *[FilmInk](/source/FilmInk)*. 9 December 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.filmink.com.au/news/flickerfest-launches-over-bondi/) on 15 December 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2017_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2017_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2017_8-2) *Tartaglione, Nancy (29 October 2017). ["'Lion' Leads Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Nominations"](https://deadline.com/2017/10/lion-australian-academy-nominations-aacta-see-saw-the-weinstein-co-full-list-2017-1202197213/). *Deadline Hollywood*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://deadline.com/2017/10/lion-australian-academy-nominations-aacta-see-saw-the-weinstein-co-full-list-2017-1202197213/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023. - Convery, Stephanie (4 December 2017). ["Aacta awards 2017: Lion and Ali's Wedding sweep early categories"](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/04/aacta-awards-2017-lion-and-alis-wedding-sweep-early-categories). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/04/aacta-awards-2017-lion-and-alis-wedding-sweep-early-categories) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2020_A_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2020_A_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2020_A_9-2) Keast, Jackie (2 November 2020). ["'Babyteeth', 'Mystery Road', 'Stateless' score early AACTA nods"](https://if.com.au/babyteeth-mystery-road-stateless-score-early-aacta-nods/). *IF Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://if.com.au/babyteeth-mystery-road-stateless-score-early-aacta-nods/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stratton_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stratton_10-1) Stratton, David (7 March 2020), "Performances anchor tangled plot", *The Australian*

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2021_A_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2021_A_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2021_A_11-2) Keast, Jackie (4 November 2021). ["Further AACTA nominations for 'The Newsreader', 'Nitram'"](https://if.com.au/further-aacta-nominations-for-the-newsreader-nitram/). *IF Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://if.com.au/further-aacta-nominations-for-the-newsreader-nitram/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bell2023_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bell2023_12-1) Bell, Josh (27 June 2023). ["REVIEW: Netflix's Run Rabbit Run Is a Dull Exercise in Exploring Trauma Through Horror"](https://www.cbr.com/netflix-run-rabbit-run-move-review/). *CBR*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://www.cbr.com/netflix-run-rabbit-run-move-review/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["We Are Not Powerless"](https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/program/2025/we-are-not-powerless). *[Adelaide Film Festival](/source/Adelaide_Film_Festival)*. 19 October 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250930154238/https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/program/2025/we-are-not-powerless) from the original on 30 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Groves, Don (30 August 2020). ["Cinematographers Society embraces greater diversity"](https://if.com.au/cinematographers-society-embraces-greater-diversity/). *IF Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233319/https://if.com.au/cinematographers-society-embraces-greater-diversity/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nzfilmawards_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nzfilmawards_15-1) ["saMOA!"](http://www.nzfilmawards.co.nz/news/samoa/). *The New Zealand Film Awards*. 6 December 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233327/http://www.nzfilmawards.co.nz/news/samoa/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2016_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2016_16-1) Bulbeck, Pip (27 October 2016). ["Australian Academy Awards: Mel Gibson's 'Hacksaw Ridge' Leads With 13 Nominations"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/australian-academy-awards-mel-gibsons-hacksaw-ridge-leads-13-nominations-941645/). *Hollywood Reporter*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/australian-academy-awards-mel-gibsons-hacksaw-ridge-leads-13-nominations-941645/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["ACS accredited member list"](https://cinematographer.org.au/acs-accredited-member-list/). *Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS)*. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Meet the 15 ACS accredited women"](https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/screen-news/2019/03-08-meet-the-15-acs-accredited-women). *Screen Australia*. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2020_B_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2020_B_19-1) Frater, Patrick (30 November 2020). ["'Stateless' and 'Babyteeth' Dominate Australian Academy Awards"](https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/stateless-babyteeth-dominate-australian-academy-aacta-awards-1234842066/). *Variety*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233318/https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/stateless-babyteeth-dominate-australian-academy-aacta-awards-1234842066/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2021_B_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AACTA_2021_B_20-1) Slatter, Sean (6 December 2021). ["'Fires', 'The Newsreader', 'New Gold Mountain', 'The Dry', 'Nitram', among early AACTA winners"](https://if.com.au/fires-the-newsreader-new-gold-mountain-the-dry-nitram-among-early-aacta-winners/). *IF Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230713233321/https://if.com.au/fires-the-newsreader-new-gold-mountain-the-dry-nitram-among-early-aacta-winners/) from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.

## External links

- [Official website](https://bonnieelliott.com/)

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Spain Israel

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bonnie Elliott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Elliott) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Elliott?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.