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Warwick Thornton

Warwick Thornton

Cinematographer, director and writer · Born July 23, 1970 (56) · Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia

Cannes award winner · Venice award winner · 2 Berlinale awards

Warwick Thornton (born 23 July, 1970; Alice Springs) is an Australian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer. His debut feature film Samson and Delilah won the Caméra d'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and the award for Best Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. He also won the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Film in 2017 for Sweet Country. Thornton is a Kaytetye man born and raised in Alice Springs. His mother Freda Glynn co-founded and was the first director of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) and was the director of Imparja Television for its first 10 years. At 13, Thornton was sent to school in Australia's only monastic town, New Norcia, Western Australia, although he later declared he became angry with Christianity and did not consider himself religious. He graduated in cinematography from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 23, 1970 (56)
From
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
Works as
Cinematographer, director and writer
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 52% in 30 days

What are Warwick Thornton's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
32%
Society
25%
Survival
17%
Self
15%
Morality
6%
Power
4%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 2 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 0 · Charged 3 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 1 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 2

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 1 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 4

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 4 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Melancholic
6
Contemplative
3
Dread
3
Joyful
1
Other
5

How their films linger

Haunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Warwick Thornton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Warwick Thornton's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

70 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Wolfram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Kangaroo(2025)

    Second Unit Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Fast Charlie(2023)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The New Boy(2023)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Firebite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Cinematographer · Creator · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • Meth Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director

  • The Beach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · as Self

  • Blue Water Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · Additional Camera

  • Between Two Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Cinematographer

  • Mystery Road(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Cinematographer · as Cluney

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Sweet Country(2017)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Coat of Arms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Cinematographer

  • We Don't Need a Map (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer · as Self

  • Ancient Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director

  • Septembers of Shiraz(2015)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Black Chook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Cinematographer

  • The Way of the Ngangkari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Art Department Assistant · Art Direction · Cinematographer

  • Nulla Nulla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Thanks

  • Words with Gods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • The Darkside(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Turning(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Sapphires(2012)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Oysterman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Cinematographer

  • In the Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Cinematographer

  • Here I Am (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Cinematographer

  • Bear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Ranger

  • Stranded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Art+Soul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · Cinematographer

  • Karlu Karlu: Devil's Marbles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Cinematographer

  • Intervention 2 Years On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Camera Operator

  • Samson & Delilah(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • First Australians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • Keao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Cinematographer

  • Bit of Black Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Cinematographer

  • Dark Science (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Nana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Writer

  • Burning Daylight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Tnorala - Baby Falling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Willaberta Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Cinematographer

  • Knot at Home Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • My Brother Vinnie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Cinematographer

  • 5 Seasons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • The Lore of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • Plains Empty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • The Old Man and the Inland Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Beyond Sorry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • Green Bush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Writer

  • Mparntwe Sacred Sites (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Cinematographer

  • Wirriya: Small Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Additional Camera

  • Cold Turkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Additional Lighting Technician

  • Rosalie's Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Mimi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • My Mother India (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Cinematographer

  • Jabiru 0886: Trespass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Cinematographer

  • Flat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Cinematographer

  • Ngangkari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Cinematographer

  • Buried Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • Willigan's Fitzroy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • Stone Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Additional Camera

  • My Bed Your Bed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Radiance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Alchemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Camera Operator

  • A Classroom in Theresienstadt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Marluku Wirlinyi: The Kangaroo Hunters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Promise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • From Sand to Celluloid: Payback (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Audacious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Camera Operator

  • Satellite Dreaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Nganampa Anwernekenhe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • First Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 70 titles, 69 of them dated from 1987 to 2026.

Biggest box office

The Sapphires (2012)

$20M worldwide

Highest rated

The Sapphires (2012)

Midcredits 83rd

Most popular right now

Fast Charlie (2023)

Film career

  • 2011Screen debut· Bear

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting3 of 70: 1 only acting, 2 with another roleDirecting27 of 70: 6 only directing, 21 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndWriting13 of 70: 0 only writing, 13 with another roleProducing2 of 70: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleCinematography51 of 70: 33 only cinematography, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score58thOther crew12 of 70: 9 only other crew, 3 with another role

70 titles, 21 with more than one role — cinematography and directing overlap on 18 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · crew1990s10 · crew2000s28 · crew2010s23 · 2 acting · 22 crew2020s7 · 1 acting · 7 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

Awards

4 major awards from 8 major nominations, 2005–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Berlinale award, nominated · Best Film
  2. 2023
    • Cannes award, nominated
  3. 2017
    • Venice award, won
    • Venice award, nominated · Best Film
  4. 2009
    • Cannes award, won
    • Cannes award, nominated
  5. 2008
    • Berlinale award, won · Generation Kplus - Best Short Film
  6. 2005
    • Berlinale award, won

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Warwick Thornton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 58th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 10 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · director, writer, cinematographer

The Darkside (2013)

65th percentile spread · 22% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

The Sapphires (2012)

Midcredits 83rd · 74% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 74/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 58. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Warwick Thornton's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Warwick Thornton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Warwick Thornton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kath Shelper shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles