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ABOUT

Michael Tessari is a distinguished Australian Cinematographer and Director of Photography born in Adelaide, South Australia. With a career spanning over a decade, he has established himself as a leading figure in the Australian film industry, known for his exceptional and nuanced visual storytelling and narrative longform expertise.

Tessari graduated with honours in cinematography in 2012. His first recognition came in 2013 when he was awarded the Cliff Ellis Award by the Australian Cinematographers Society - ACS for demonstrating the most potential as a young cinematographer. This accolade set the stage for a flourishing career that is still growing today.

Throughout his career Tessari has lensed a wide array of projects across feature films, television, music videos, and commercials, developing a reputation for visually driven storytelling across multiple genres.

- One of his most recognised works is Monolith, directed by Matt Vesely. The contained science-fiction thriller showcases Tessari’s precise and atmospheric cinematography and earned an ACS National Award of Distinction, along with a Grand Jury Nomination for Best Cinematography at the SXSW Film Festival in 2023.

- Among his recent feature work, Tessari photographed the Australian road film With or Without You, directed by Kelly Schilling. The film explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter travelling across Australia, with Tessari’s cinematography highlighting both the emotional landscape of the characters and the vast environments that shape their journey.

- Tessari also reunited with director Daniel J. Phillips on the horror feature Diabolic. The film received a wide, positive theatrical release and is currently available on VOD platforms internationally. Their second collaboration in the genre, Diabolic sees Tessari craft a dark, oppressive visual language that amplifies the film’s psychological tension and escalating dread.

- Further expanding his genre work, Tessari also shot the post-apocalyptic action film The Run, directed by Stephen De Villiers, which is expected to release in mid-to-late 2026.

Tessari’s dedication to his craft has been acknowledged through numerous awards and honours. Some of these include:

• IF Magazine’s 2024 Rising Talent List: This honour highlights a growing influence and contribution to the Australian film industry.

• Milton Ingerson Award 2017: Presented by the Australian Cinematographers Society, this prestigious award was for the best overall entry of the year for SA and WA.

• ACS Awards of Distinction: Tessari has received a Gold ACS Award for every feature film he has shot along with numerous other Gold, Silver and Bronze for his advertising work, both local and national. Additionally, both Monolith and With or Without You were awarded a National Award of Distinction; an incredible honour for the sub $3M films.