“Life of Pi” Cinematographer Miranda Wins BAFTA Award…

Claudio Miranda may have to look for another place to display his growing stash of awards…

The Chilean cinematographer, a favorite to win at this year’s Oscars, won the Best Cinematography gong at Sunday night’s BAFTA Awards, sponsored by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Claudio Miranda

Miranda, who wasn’t present to pick up his award at London’s Royal Opera House, claimed the award for his work on Ang Lee’s Life of Pi.

It’s Miranda’s latest win this awards season, following his Critics’ Choice Award and New York Film Critics Online, among others.

Meanwhile, Malik Bendjelloul’s Searching for Sugar Man, the critically acclaimed documentary about Mexican American musician Sixto Rodriguez, won the BAFTA Award.

Earlier this month, Searching for Sugar Man picked up the DGA Award from the Directors Guild of America.

“Searching for Sugar Man” Earns Directors Guild Award

It looks like Searching for Sugar Man has the momentum heading into the final Oscar stretch…

The critically acclaimed documentary about Mexican American musician Sixto Rodriguez, who has been dubbed “the greatest rock star who never was,” earned the film’s helmer Malik Bendjelloul his first DGA Award from the Directors Guild of America.

Searching for Sugar Man

Bendjelloul picked up the award during the 65th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards dinner on Saturday night at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles.

It’s the latest award for Searching for Sugar Man, which is looking like an Oscar front-runner in its category. The film had previously won a Critics Choice award and Producers Guild of America award.

In addition, the film has resulted in what’s shaping up to be the comeback of the century, with the film’s subject Rodriguez now in high demand. He’s slated to perform at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and other music festivals this year.

Cuesta Receives Directors Guild Award Nomination…

He helped kickoff Showtime’s Homeland with a bang, making it one of this season’s hottest new shows… And, now Michael Cuesta is getting kudos for his exceptional work behind the camera.

Michael Cuesta

The 48-year-old Latino filmmaker has received a DGA Award nomination from the Directors Guild of America in the dramatic series category for helming Homeland’s pilot episode.

Homeland

Homeland—which stars Claire Daines as a CIA officer who believes an American Marine, who was held captive by Al-Qaeda as a prisoner of war, was turned by the enemy and poses a significant risk to national security—has been renewed for a second season of 12 episodes. Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2012.

“The caliber of work being done on television these days is incredible, and our director nominees in each category are an indispensable element to the success of every project — establishing and enhancing the vision and tone, eliciting outstanding performances and furthering the narrative arc through their creative choices,” said Directors Guild of America president Taylor Hackford. “That they are able to create excellence regardless of obstacles like tighter schedules and in an environment in which audiences have more entertainment options to choose from — is a true testament to the importance of directorial skill in television.”

Cuesta, who has perviously directed television episodes of Dexter, Six Feet Under, Blue Bloods and True Blood, will face off against the directors of episodes of Friday Night Lights, Game of ThronesThe Killing and Breaking Bad.

The winners will be announced at the 64th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 28, 2012.