Australian Academy Announces First Award Winners
The inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards Luncheon, presented by Digital Pictures, was held today at Sydney’s Westin Hotel, marking the first Award winners to be announced by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA).
Presenters at the event included film and television favourites Rhada Mitchell, Rebecca Gibney and Susie Porter, internationally renowned directors such as Bruce Beresford and Fred Schepisi and entertaining Oscar® winner Adam Elliott, to name a few. The event was hosted by acclaimed actress Sigrid Thornton.
The Samsung AACTA Awards Luncheon, presented by Digital Pictures, recognised the talent and innovation of artists and craftspeople working across the television, documentary, short fiction film, short animation and feature film categories.
The prestigious AACTA Raymond Longford Award, the nation’s highest screen accolade, was presented to Australian cinematography legend, Donald M. McAlpine (ACS/ASC), accompanied by moving and insightful tributes from director Bruce Beresford, and long-time friend and colleague Jack Thompson.
Filmmaker Ivan Sen was presented with the Byron Kennedy Award, which celebrates outstanding creative enterprise within the film and television industries and is given to an individual or organisation whose work embodies innovation and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Video highlights and photographs from the Luncheon will be available at www.aacta.org from Thursday 19 January.
AACTA’s inaugural awards season will culminate with the spectacular Samsung AACTA Awards Ceremony at the Sydney Opera House on 31 January 2012, which will be broadcast around Australia on the Nine Network.
A limited number of tickets are still available – to purchase tickets, click here
- AACTA would like to congratulate all AACTA Award recipients. To view the list of all winners and nominees, click here »
- A limited number of tickets are still available – to purchase tickets, click here »
· Click here to download a transcript of Don McAlpine ACS ASC Acceptance Speech »
· AACTA Awards Ceremony Pictures »
Pictures taken during the AACTA Awards Luncheon by David Wakeley ACS where Don McAlpine ACS ASC was presented with the Raymond Longford Award.
