DAVE MAY ACS
Dave is an Emmy nominated, Australian Cinematographer Society accredited cinematographer and director specialising in documentaries and factual television and with a range of work across music, comedy, lifestyle and commercials. He’s been the recipient of numerous ACS awards, including 3 x Golden Tripods, and has been awarded a Walkley award for video journalism.
His work has taken him from Antarctica, to Africa and the Torres Strait, working for production companies like Blackfella Films, Northern Pictures, Fremantle and iTV on projects for broadcasters like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Discovery, ABC and SBS. His focus on social impact film-making has led him to work as DOP and/or director on well-regarded documentaries and factual programs like Stuff the British Stole, Filthy Rich and Homeless, You Can’t Ask That, I Was Actually There and and Better Date Than Never, as well as the Rose D’Or nominated Employable Me and the Emmy and AACTA award winning format, Love on the Spectrum. He’s worked on numerous seasons of Love on the Spectrum and recently received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for his work on season 3. Dave’s other TV credits include the high-profile Hulu/Disney + true crime series Never Let Him Go and he also created the short documentary series Throwback for the ABC, which has had more than 10 million views.
Dave is one of Australia’s leading live music filmmakers and has worked on a variety of music projects for artists including Thom Yorke, Underworld, Childish Gambino, Flight Facilities, Tame Impala, The Hilltop Hoods, Mansionair, Future Islands and Jon Hopkins. In 2025 he produced and directed the latest installment of the international concert format, Red Bull Symphonic, featuring Australian artist Ruel.
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
PERSONAL
Emmy Nominee: Outstanding Cinematography - Love on the Spectrum U.S. Season 3
ACS Gold Tripod: Music Video - Walker. - Life & Death
ACS Gold Tripod: Entertainment - Andrea Lam live at Sydney Opera House
ACS Gold Tripod: Experimental - Closed Sydney
ACS NSW Gold Award: Music Video - Walker. - Life & Death
ACS NSW Gold Award: Entertainment - Andrea Lam live at Sydney Opera House
ACS NSW Gold Award: Current Affairs - 7.30 - Sydney’s Vaccine Rollout
ACS NSW Silver Award: Entertainment - Mansionair Live
ACS NSW Gold Award: Entertainment - Love on the Spectrum
ACS NSW Gold Award: Experimental – Closed Sydney
ACS NSW Silver Award: Branded Content – Uncover Antarctica
ACS NSW Silver Award: News and Current Affairs – The Real Utopia
Walkley Award Young Australian Journalist: Visual Storytelling – The Feed
Canon Master
PROJECTS
Emmy Award: Casting and Direction - Love on the Spectrum Season 2
AIDC: Best Documentary/Factual Series - Never Let Him Go
International Emmy: Non-Scripted Entertainment Winner - Love on the Spectrum Aus Season 2
AACTA Award: Factual Entertainment Winner - Love on the Spectrum Aus Season 2
Screen Producers Australia Award: Reality Series Winner - Love on the Spectrum Aus Season 2
Rose D’Or Nominee – Love on the Spectrum Aus Season 2
Rose D’Or Nominee – Employable Me Season 2
Screen Producers Australia Award: Documentary Program or Series Winner - Employable Me Season 2
AACTA Award:: Documentary Nominee - Employable Me Season 2
AACTA Award: Factual Entertainment Nominee - You Cant Ask That Season 7
AACTA Award: Factual Entertainment Nominee - You Cant Ask That Season 6
AACTA Award: Factual Entertainment Nominee - You Cant Ask That Season 5
New York Festival Film & TV Awards: Social Issues Gold - Filthy Rich and Homeless Season 3
BANF World Media Festival Best Docuseries - Filthy Rich and Homeless Season 3
Venice TV Awards: Reality TV Winner - Filthy Rich and Homeless Season 2
New York Festival Film & TV Awards: Social Issues Silver - Filthy Rich and Homeless Season 2
Amnesty International Media Awards Special Commendation – The Feed: The Real Utopia
Atom Award Nomination: Best Documentary (Arts) – Throwback