Michael Tessari | Cinematographer
Cinematographer, Director of Photography, DOP | Michael Tessari

Bio

Michael Tessari is a highly skilled Cinematographer and Director of Photography based in Adelaide, South Australia. He is well known in the local film industry for his work as DOP on films such as Awoken and Monolith, as well as the Netflix original series Gymnastics Academy. Tessari has a reputation for excellence within the field of cinematography in Adelaide and has received numerous accolades, including Australian Cinematographers Society Gold Awards. In addition to his work in film, Tessari has also contributed to a number of successful advertising and music video projects. His talent and experience make him a valuable asset to any film production company looking to produce high quality, visually stunning content.

Sitting in the back of the lighting truck on the set of ‘Awoken’

Sitting in the back of the lighting truck on the set of ‘Awoken’

 

Michael Tessari is an Australian cinematographer working on narrative films, series and commercials. In the last 24 months Tessari has served as Director of Photography on the Screen Australia financed feature drama, With or Without You, the horror film Diabolic, the action film The Run and the anticipated, yet to be released thriller - The Debt.

With or Without You, Diabolic and The Run have all been released across Australian/international Cinemas and various streaming platforms. Additionally each has received accolades at the Australian Cinematographers Society Awards.

Other recently released films include the sci-fi thriller Monolith, Tessari's work on which earned a nomination for the Grand Jury Prize in Cinematography at the 2023 SXSW festival, alongside a National ACS Award of Distinction. Monolith had a successful festival run across the world at SXSW, AFF, FrightFest, Bifan, MIFF and Sitges before landing on VOD.

Tessari has consistently worked on successful narrative projects. The horror film Awoken was released theatrically across North America and the world; The Netflix Original Series Gymnastics Academy trended at #1 across multiple countries and many of his short films have premiered at film festivals across the globe. In 2024 Tessari was listed in IF magazine's Rising Star list.

AWARDS

*IF MAGAZINE RISING TALENT 2024*

*Winner of the MILTON INGERSON AWARD for Best Overall Entry in 2017, Australian Cinematographers Society Awards*

*NATIONAL AWARD OF DISTINCTION - “WITH OR WITHOUT YOU”,  NATIONAL ACS AWARDS, FEATURE FILMS UNDER $3M*
*NATIONAL AWARD OF DISTINCTION - “MONOLITH”,  NATIONAL ACS AWARDS, FEATURE FILMS UNDER $2M*
*GRAND JURY NOMINATION for Best Cinematography - “Monolith”, SXSW Film Festival, Austin 2023*


*Winner of the CLIFF ELLIS AWARD for Cinematographer with the Most Potential, Australian Cinematographers Society Awards*
*GOLD AWARD for “The Run", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Feature films*
*GOLD AWARD for “With or without you", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Feature films*
*GOLD AWARD for "Monolith", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Feature films*
*GOLD AWARD for "Awoken", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Feature films*

*GOLD AWARD for “SA Police - You belong in Blue", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - TVC’s*
*GOLD AWARD for “I’m The Most Racist Person I Know", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Short Films*
*GOLD AWARD for "Bloom", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Tv series*

*BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY for “Music SA", Adelaide Advertising and Design Club - Craft*
*BEST DIRECTION for “Music SA", Adelaide Advertising and Design Club - Craft*
*GOLD AWARD for "Freezing Point - Uni SA", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Corporate/educational*
*BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY for "In the Wake", Soul Punch Film Festival*
*GOLD AWARD for "In the Wake", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Short Films*
*GOLD AWARD for "City of Adelaide - Creative City", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising - Local*
*GOLD AWARD for "Release", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Short Films*
*GOLD AWARD for "BlackChrome", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising (National / International)*
*GOLD AWARD for "Isis", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Student Cinematography*

*SILVER AWARD for "Diabolic", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Feature Films*
*SILVER AWARD for "SAPOL - Flirting with Death", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising - Local*
*SILVER AWARD for "Flinders University", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising - Local*
*SILVER AWARD for "RSL - ARVL", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising - Local*
*SILVER AWARD for "University of SA", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising - National*
*SILVER AWARD for "Losing Breath- W.M.N", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Music Video*
*SILVER AWARD for “City Living", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Corporate Video*
*BRONZE AWARD for "Health Partners", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising National*
*BRONZE AWARD for "Gymnastics Academy", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - TV SERIES*
*BRONZE AWARD for "AMSA", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Advertising (Local / Regional)*
*BRONZE AWARD for "Stuck In Time", Australian Cinematographers Society Awards - Documentary*