1. The Australian film industry was on show last night at the second AACTA Awards.
AACTA is the artist formerly known as the AFIs or Australian Film Industry Awards but clearly someone thought AACTA was a far catchier acronym… The event was hosted by Russell Crowe and AACTA President Geoffrey Rush, who were joined on stage throughout the night by Australia’s best known film actresses Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett.
Cate Blanchett looked phenomenal (and remarkably like a superhero) in her blingy red gown and Jessica Mauboy’s ruby strapless dress was equally stunning. Maybe we’re being a bit ‘nanna’ here at Mamamia or maybe Australia Day got us in a patriotic mood but we thought everyone looked lovely.
Take a look at the photos:
As for the actual awards… Musical The Sapphires was the unrivalled star of the evening, scooping up six awards including Best Film, Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy. This brought the film’s total number of awards to eleven, having received five during the AACTA Awards Luncheon on Monday. Overseas holiday drama Wish You Were Here picked up the remaining awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Antony Starr.
In the television segment, Puberty Blues and Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War won Best Television Drama Series and Best Telefeature or Mini Series respectively, while the Best Lead Actor and Actress in a Television Drama went to Rake‘s Richard Roxborough and Redfern Now‘s Leah Purcell.