Celebrating Australian screen excellence, the AACTA 2024 Industry Awards honour standout productions like ‘Deadlock’ and ‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.’
In a ceremony at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast, the 2024 AACTA Industry Awards, presented by Foxtel Group, celebrated the pinnacle of Australian screen achievement.
This year’s event saw a diverse range of films and television productions being honoured for their excellence in craft and storytelling, highlighting the vibrancy and depth of the Australian screen industry.
The ceremony was hosted by the internationally renowned entertainment figure, Harry Connick Jr., who brought his charismatic presence to the stage, underscoring the global appeal and recognition of Australian screen talent.
A total of 15 productions were awarded across 28 categories, celebrating excellence in various facets of screen production, from film and television to documentary, short film, and digital content. The television dramas The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Deadloch, and The Australian Wars were particularly successful, each securing three awards and demonstrating the high calibre of storytelling and production in Australian television.
The Australian Wars stood out for its compelling portrayal of historical events, winning both Best Documentary or Factual Program and Best Direction in Nonfiction Television, a testament to the impactful storytelling and meticulous research behind the production.
Meanwhile, The Newsreader was awarded for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy, reinforcing its status as a critically acclaimed drama with its insightful exploration of the newsroom dynamics and the complexities of its characters’ lives.
The film category was dominated by Danny and Michael Philippou’s Talk to Me, which received the highest number of awards on the night, including Best Screenplay and Best Editing in Film. This supernatural thriller not only captivated audiences with its innovative narrative but also showcased the Philippou brothers’ exceptional skill in crafting a visually and emotionally engaging film.
The New Boy, directed by the acclaimed Warwick Thornton, was another highlight, winning awards for Best Cinematography in Film and Best Production Design in Film. Thornton’s unique vision and the film’s aesthetic excellence were duly recognized, further cementing his reputation as one of Australia’s most talented filmmakers.
In the independent film category, Ivan Sen’s Limbo was honoured with Best Indie Film, highlighting the importance of independent cinema in contributing to the diversity and richness of the Australian film landscape. Additionally, the visual effects team behind the Hollywood blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny received the AACTA Award for Best Visual Effects or Animation, showcasing Australian talent’s global impact in the field of visual effects.
Latecomers, a groundbreaking comedy, won the award for Best Online Drama or Comedy, reflecting the growing significance of digital platforms in providing innovative and accessible outlets for storytelling. Finding Addison, awarded Best Short Film, highlighted the importance of short form content in showcasing emerging talent and exploring new narratives.
The awards were presented by a who’s who of Australian screen legends, including Warwick Thornton, Kate McCartney, Kate McLennan, Darren Gilshenan, and Zoe Coombs Marr, among others, showcasing the supportive and interconnected nature of the industry down under.
“We applaud the exceptional craftsmanship and dedication of Australia’s screen industry showcased at the 2024 AACTA Industry Awards. Congratulations to all the deserving winners, whose talent and innovation continue to push the boundaries of storytelling. These awards not only honour the outstanding achievements of our industry’s finest but also serve as a testament to the vibrant creativity that defines Australian cinema and television.” AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella expressed in his commendation of the winners.
Echoing this sentiment, Amanda Laing, Foxtel Group Chief Commercial and Content Officer and BINGE Managing Director, praised the flourishing creative community and the exemplary talent that positions Australia at the heart of the global screen industry.
See the full list of 2024 AACTA Industry Award Winners below
In film, 5 productions won across 10 Awards
FILM
AACTA Award for Best Casting in Film presented by Casting Networks: Shayda – Anousha Zarkesh
- AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Film: The New Boy – Warwick Thornton
- AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Film: Carmen – Emily Seresin
- AACTA Award for Best Editing in Film presented by Spectrum Films: Talk to Me – Geoff Lamb
- AACTA Award for Best Indie Film: Limbo – Ivan Sen (Dir.), David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin, Rachel Higgins – Bunya Productions
- AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Film: Talk to Me – Cornel Wilczek
- AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Film: The New Boy – Amy Baker
- AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Film: Talk to Me – Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman
- AACTA Award for Best Sound in Film Talk to Me – Emma Bortignon, Pete Smith, Nick Steele
In TV, 5 productions won across 12 Awards
TELEVISION
- AACTA Award for Best Casting in Television presented by Casting Networks: Deadloch – Alison Telford, Kate Leonard
- AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Episode 1 – Sam Chiplin
- AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television: The Newsreader – Episode 4 – Zed Dragojlovich
- AACTA Award for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy: The Newsreader (Episode 4) – Emma Freeman
- AACTA Award for Best Direction in Nonfiction Television: The Australian Wars (Episode 1) – Rachel Perkins, Dylan River, Tov Belling
- AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program: The Australian Wars – Darren Dale, Rachel Perkins, Belinda Mravicic – Blackfella Films Pty Ltd (NITV, SBS)
- AACTA Award for Best Editing in a Documentary: The Australian Wars – Andrea Lang, Mark Atkin, Hilary Balmond
- AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television: Deadloch – Episode 1 – Angie Higgins
- AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program: Eurovision Song Contest 2023 – Grand Final – Paul Clarke, Emily Griggs – Blink TV Production Pty Ltd (SBS)
- AACTA Award for Best Original Score in Television: Deadloch – Episode 1 – Amanda Brown
- AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Episode 1 – Melinda Doring
- AACTA Award for Best Sound in Television: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Episode 6 – David Lee, Robert Mackenzie, Leah Katz, James Ashton
In Documentary, 3 productions won across 3 Awards
DOCUMENTARY
- AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary: The Giants – Sherwin Akbarzadeh
- AACTA Award for Best Original Score in a Documentary: The Dark Emu Story – Caitlin Yeo, Damien Lane
- AACTA Award for Best Sound in a Documentary: Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story – David Williams
ONLINE
- AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy: Latecomers – Liam Heyen, Hannah Ngo, Angus Thompson, Emma Myers, Nina Oyama, Madeleine Gottlieb, Alistair Baldwin – Mad Ones Films & Lazy Susan Films
SHORT FILM
- AACTA Award for Best Short Film: Finding Addison – Francisca Braithwaite, Jess Milne, Nick Bolton – Blue Sparrow Entertainment
OTHER
- AACTA Award for Best Hair and Makeup presented by HASK: Talk to Me – Rebecca Buratto, Paul Katte, Nick Nicolaou
- AACTA Award for Best Visual Effects or Animation: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – Andrew Whitehurst, Kathy Siegel, Alistair Williams, Julian Hutchens, Ian Cope – Rising Sun Pictures
