
However, since we’re bestowing the American Cinematographer Award, I feel obliged to give the top prize to the documentary that has, in my studied view, the most lustrous and accomplished imagery: Costello’s unerring eye for painterly compositions, exquisite rendering of natural light and tremendously artful approach to the subject matter transform The Silver Branch into a meditative, deeply contemplative tone poem that extols not only the beauty of natural landscapes, but their life- and soul-enhancing nourishments. It’s a wistful and deeply felt documentary, and richly deserving of the top honour.
https://ascmag.com/articles/silver-branch-wins-ac-award-salem-fest-2019