The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards once again took centre stage, honouring the best and brightest in Australia’s entertainment industry.
Diversity and inclusion took focus at Saturday’s ceremony, held at the Home of the Arts Centre on the Gold Coast.
Indigenous stars shone brightly as Deborah Mailman and Hunter Page-Lochard graced the red carpet and claimed well-deserved accolades.
Page-Lochard clinched the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for his compelling performance in The Newsreader.
Meanwhile, the incomparable Mailman was honoured with the Best Supporting Actress in Film award for her unforgettable role in The New Boy.
Filmmaker Rachel Perkins made history with her groundbreaking documentary The Australian Wars, a powerful exploration of our nation’s complex history, which earned the prestigious Best Documentary award.
Perkins’ exceptional talent also earned her the award for Best Direction in Nonfiction Television, solidifying her status as one of Australia’s most visionary directors.
Adding to the tapestry of diversity, comedian Hannah Gadsby claimed the spotlight with her win for Best Stand-Up Special for Hannah Gadsby: Something Special.
Gadsby, who is autistic and genderqueer, continues to break barriers and challenge stereotypes with her unique brand of comedy.
Highlighting the global nature of Australian cinema, Iranian-born Sherwin Akbarzadeh was recognised for his outstanding contribution to cinematography, winning the award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary for his work on The Giants.
“I’m not here to have fun, I’m here to upset people… here’s my Black skin. Deal with it,” former Saddle Club star Aisha Dee told BACKCOVERNEWS.COM.
Queensland’s Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the Gold Coast was the perfect place to recognise the industry’s best.
“Hosting some of the world’s hottest talent on the Gold Coast for these awards shines the spotlight on the incredible film and television content being produced right here in Queensland and shares our beautiful tourism experiences with global fans,” he said.
The AACTA Awards, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and celebrating screen excellence in Australia, have been a cornerstone of the industry for over 60 years.
As Australia’s most prestigious screen ceremony, the AACTA Awards embrace diversity and innovation, showcasing a diverse range of screen productions and honoring some of the industry’s most talented individuals.
This year’s ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the richness and diversity of Australia’s entertainment landscape, celebrating the achievements of artists from all backgrounds and walks of life.
For the full list of winners CLICK HERE
