Lol Crawley

Career

In 2013, Crawley shot Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival and attracted critical attention for its cinematography. Crawley has been inducted into the British Society of Cinematographers. He has been awarded two cinematography awards at film festivals, and also has been nominated for four Film Independent Spirit Awards.

In 2025, Crawley won Best Cinematography at both the 97th Academy Awards and the 68th British Academy Film Awards for his work in the film The Brutalist. The film also won him numerous other awards and nominations at other events, such as the Robby Müller Award and Best Cinematography from the British Society of Cinematographers.**

Reception

In 2016 The Playlist profiled Crawley in their filmmakers on the rise stating that, "British DP Lol Crawley isn’t quite a brand new name — he’s been doing some remarkably impressive work in features for nearly a decade now. But of late, he’s gone from an extraordinarily impressive cinematographer to staking his claim at being one of the best in the world."

Personal life

Lol Crawley was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and grew up in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, Wales, with his parents and two older sisters, one of whom is the writer and historian Fay Bound Alberti. He attended Ysgol Llanfyllin and Oswestry College and completed a BTEC National Diploma in Audio Visual Studies at The North East Wales Institute, before studying at Northumbria University, where he earned a BA Hons.

He is seen as an inspiration to the pupils of Ysgol Llanfyllin, with the current headmaster, Dewi Owen, quoted in the Borders Counties Advertizer as saying:

"Lol’s journey from a pupil at Ysgol Llanfyllin to an internationally celebrated cinematographer is an inspiration to our students and the wider community. His success highlights the incredible potential of young people from our school and local area to achieve greatness in the creative industries and beyond."

In the 1990s, Crawley attended Northumbria University to study Film and Media Production.

Filmography

Short film

Feature film

Ref.:

Documentary film

Television

Ref.:

Music video

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Lol Crawley - movies list, photos and biography".
2. (9 September 2013). "‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ Review: Idris Elba Is Superb in CliffsNotes Biopic {{!}} Variety".
3. "Aspect Ratio Film Reviews: Mandela".
4. "Lol Crawley, Daniel Landin and Christopher Ross {{!}} The British Society of Cinematographers".
5. (24 February 2011). "The Brits making waves at Sundance – again – Telegraph".
6. "Lol Crawley {{!}} Spirit Awards 2014".
7. (2025-03-04). "From Tyneside to Hollywood – the Northumbria alumni making their mark in the film industry".
8. "Awards News {{!}} British Society of Cinematographers".
9. (22 August 2016). "On The Rise 2016: 20 Filmmakers To Watch".
10. (2025-02-21). "Former local school pupil wins a Bafta - and is up for an Oscar!".
11. (2025-02-28). "The Brutalist cinematographer: From Welsh hills to Oscar nominee".
12. "Archived copy".
13. "Index to Motion Picture Credits – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences".
14. "Production Starts on Hyde Park on Hudson - ComingSoon.net".
15. "ARRI Group: News".
16. (3 January 2014). "Contender – Cinematographer Lol Crawley, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom {{!}} Below the Line".
17. (20 December 2013). "WASHINGTON FILM INSTITUTE {{!}} FILM REVIEW: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom".
18. "Archived copy".
19. (March 9, 2023). "Lol Crawley, Dávid Jancsó & Kate Forbes on The Brutalist".
20. "The Crimson Petal and the White (TV Mini-Series 2011) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb".
21. (2 December 2014). "RTS announces winners of the Craft & Design Awards 2014".
22. "Lol Crawley, BSC // Cv".
23. "Lol Crawley, BSC // Music Video".
24. "WFF 2011 MAVERICK AWARD CEREMONY WINNERS".
25. Scott Roxborough. (21 November 2024). "'The Brutalist' DP Lol Crawley to Be Honored With Rotterdam's Robby Müller Award".