2025 Screen Presence Trailblazer Award

From left: Jeon Patton, Matthew Chuang ACS, Lisa Wang

Last Thursday night we had the privilege of celebrating Matthew Chuang ACS — not just for the extraordinary images he creates, but for what his journey represents.

Matthew spoke with such openness about what it once felt like to come up in an industry where you rarely saw yourself reflected — and how powerful it was, years later, to step onto sets where identity, culture and lived experience were no longer something to set aside, but something that mattered. That moment of realising you’re not alone — of finding community — changes everything.

From deeply intimate, performance-led storytelling to the epic scale of 'Chief of War', Matthew’s work carries care, responsibility and a profound respect for the people and cultures being represented. It’s never about spectacle alone — it’s about truth, weight and meaning.

This award is a celebration not only of Matthew, but of visibility, generosity, and the momentum created when one person’s path makes space for many others to follow.

Thank you Matthew, for your craft, your generosity, the laughs — and for sharing your journey with our Screen Presence community 🤍

Learn more about the award and Matthew’s outlook here.

🎥 Highlights from the night — in conversation with Jeon Patton and Matthew's behind-the-scenes reflections from 'Chief of War'.