51st Australian Film Institute Awards
Encyclopedia
The 50th Annual Australian Film Institute Awards
ceremony, honouring the best in film and television acting achievement for the year 2008 in the cinema of Australia
, took place on the 5–6 December 2008. During the ceremony, the Australian Film Institute
presented Australian Film Institute Awards
(commonly referred to as AFI Awards) in 40 categories including feature films, television
, animation
and documentaries
. It was hosted by Stephen Curry of TV1
's The King
.
The nominees for Best Documentary, Best Short Fiction Film and Best Short Animation were announced on 7 August whilst all the other nominees were announced at the Nominations Announcement in Sydney on 29 October. The Black Balloon
had the most nominations with a total of 11 including Best Film
.
.
Australian Film Institute Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
ceremony, honouring the best in film and television acting achievement for the year 2008 in the cinema of Australia
Cinema of Australia
Cinema of Australia, more commonly referred to as the Australian film industry, refers to the system of production, distribution, and exhibition of films in Australia. Film production commenced in Australia in 1906 with the production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the earliest feature film made...
, took place on the 5–6 December 2008. During the ceremony, the Australian Film Institute
Australian Film Institute
The Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
presented Australian Film Institute Awards
Australian Film Institute Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
(commonly referred to as AFI Awards) in 40 categories including feature films, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
and documentaries
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
. It was hosted by Stephen Curry of TV1
TV1 (Australia)
TV1 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms.-History:TV1 launched as part of the original Galaxy lineup. The channel is jointly owned by Sony International Television, Universal Studios and Paramount. The channel shows...
's The King
The King (2007 film)
The King: The Story of Graham Kennedy is an Australian telemovie examining the life of Australian entertainer Graham Kennedy.Produced in Australia by the Sydney based independent production company Crackerjack Productions for TV1 and the Nine Network, The King was first shown on 20 May 2007 on TV1...
.
The nominees for Best Documentary, Best Short Fiction Film and Best Short Animation were announced on 7 August whilst all the other nominees were announced at the Nominations Announcement in Sydney on 29 October. The Black Balloon
The Black Balloon (film)
The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian...
had the most nominations with a total of 11 including Best Film
Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film
This page lists the winners and nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Film since its institution in 1958. The award is presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts , an organisation which promotes the Australian film industry. Since the 1958 Australian Film Awards the...
.
Winners of major awards
This is a breakdown of winners of major awards categories only. For a complete list of nominees and winners, see 50th Australian Film Institute Awards nominees and winners50th Australian Film Institute Awards nominees and winners
The nominees for the 50th Australian Film Institute Awards were announced in Sydney, Australia, on 29 October 2008. The nominees for Best Documentary, Best Short Fiction Film, and Best Short Animation were announced on 7 August 2008.- Best Film :...
.
Feature films
| Award | Winner | Producer |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film This page lists the winners and nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Film since its institution in 1958. The award is presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts , an organisation which promotes the Australian film industry. Since the 1958 Australian Film Awards the... |
The Black Balloon The Black Balloon (film) The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian... |
Tristram Miall |
Directing
| Award | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Direction Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards.-Previous winners:*1971 – Homesdale *1972 – Stork... |
Elissa Down Elissa Down Elissa Down is an Australian filmmaker. In 1999 and 2000 Elissa was nominated for Young Film-maker of the year at the WA Screen Awards.Her major works comprise of a number of award winning short films, Summer Angst, The Cherry Orchard, Her Outback, The Bathers, Pink Pyjamas, HMAS Unicorn and... |
The Black Balloon The Black Balloon (film) The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian... |
Acting
| Award | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Lead Role Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role The AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role is an award in the annual AACTA Awards, presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts... |
William McInnes William McInnes William McInnes is an Australian film and television actor and writer.-Television:After a recurring role on A Country Practice in 1990, McInnes appeared in series such as Bligh, Ocean Girl, and Snowy before making his name as Senior Constable Nick Schultz on Blue Heelers in 1994... |
Unfinished Sky Unfinished Sky Unfinished Sky is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Peter Duncan. It is based on the 1998 Dutch film De Poolse bruid.- Plot :... |
| Best Actress in a Lead Role Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role is an award presented annually at the Australian Film Institute Awards. The award has been presented annually since 1971.-History:... |
Monic Hendrickx Monic Hendrickx Monic Hendrickx is a Dutch actress. She has won several awards during her career including three Golden Calf awards for Best Actress at the Nederlands Film Festival, the Jury Award at the 2001 Newport Beach Film Festival and the Best Actress Award at the 1999 Buenos Aires International Festival of... |
Unfinished Sky Unfinished Sky Unfinished Sky is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Peter Duncan. It is based on the 1998 Dutch film De Poolse bruid.- Plot :... |
| Best Supporting Actor Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1974.-Previous winners:*1974: Barry Humphries – The Great McCarthy... |
Luke Ford Luke Ford Luke Ford is an American writer, blogger, and former pornography gossip columnist known for his disclosures and traditionalist Jewish religious views.-Personal:Ford moved to California in 1977... |
The Black Balloon The Black Balloon (film) The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian... |
| Best Supporting Actress Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1976.-Previous winners:*1976: Melissa Jaffer – Caddie... |
Toni Collette Toni Collette Antonia "Toni" Collette is an Australian actress and musician, known for her acting work on stage, television and film as well as a secondary career as the lead singer of the band Toni Collette & the Finish.... |
The Black Balloon The Black Balloon (film) The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian... |
Writing
| Award | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Original Screenplay Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1976 as a joint category until 1993 when the award was separated into Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay... |
Elissa Down Elissa Down Elissa Down is an Australian filmmaker. In 1999 and 2000 Elissa was nominated for Young Film-maker of the year at the WA Screen Awards.Her major works comprise of a number of award winning short films, Summer Angst, The Cherry Orchard, Her Outback, The Bathers, Pink Pyjamas, HMAS Unicorn and... and Jimmy the Exploder |
The Black Balloon The Black Balloon (film) The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian... |
| Best Adapted Screenplay Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It has been awarded annually since 1976 as a joint category until 1993 when the award was separated into Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay... |
Peter Duncan Peter Duncan Peter Duncan is the name of:* Peter Duncan , former Blue Peter presenter and former UK Chief Scout* Peter Duncan , Scottish Conservative Party politician, former Member of Parliament... |
Unfinished Sky Unfinished Sky Unfinished Sky is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Peter Duncan. It is based on the 1998 Dutch film De Poolse bruid.- Plot :... |
Additional Awards
| Award | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best International Actor Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actor The Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actor is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards It has been awarded annually since 2005.-Previous winners and nominees:* 2005: Russell Crowe - Cinderella Man... |
Heath Ledger Heath Ledger Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career... |
The Dark Knight The Dark Knight (film) The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins... |
| Best International Actress Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actress The Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actress is an award in the annual Australian Film Institute Awards It has been awarded annually since 2005.-Previous winners and nominees:... |
Cate Blanchett Cate Blanchett Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress. She came to international attention for her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 biopic film Elizabeth, for which she won British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Golden Globe Awards, and earned her first Academy Award... |
Elizabeth: The Golden Age |
| Young Actor Award | Danielle Catanzariti Danielle Catanzariti Danielle Catanzariti is an Australian actress and stage actress. She is best known for her role as the title character in the 2008 film Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger.-Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger:... |
Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger is a 2008 Australian independent teen film written and directed by Cathy Randall. It stars Danielle Catanzariti, Keisha Castle-Hughes and Toni Collette. The film follows Jewish 13-year-old Esther , an outcast at her posh school, where she has no friends... |
| Byron Kennedy Award | Chris Lilley Chris Lilley (comedian) -External links:****... |
Summer Heights High Summer Heights High Summer Heights High is a Logie Award-winning Australian television mockumentary series written by and starring Chris Lilley. It is a parody of high-school life epitomised by its three protagonists: effeminate and megalomaniacal "Director of Performing Arts" Mr G; self-absorbed, privileged teenager... |
| Reader's Choice Award | Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman Hugh Michael Jackman is an Australian actor and producer who is involved in film, musical theatre, and television.Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as action/superhero, period and romance characters... |
Australia Australia (2008 film) Australia is a 2008 epic historical romance film directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. It is the second-highest grossing Australian film of all time, behind Crocodile Dundee. The screenplay was written by Luhrmann and screenwriter Stuart Beattie, with Ronald Harwood... |
| Australia's Favourite Film Award | The Castle The Castle (film) The Castle is a 1997 Australian comedy film directed by Rob Sitch. It starred Michael Caton, Anne Tenney, Stephen Curry, Sophie Lee, Eric Bana and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell. The screenwriting team comprised Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Jane Kennedy of Working Dog Productions.The Castle was... |
Working Dog Productions Working Dog Productions Working Dog Productions is a small film and television production company based in Melbourne, Australia. It was originally known as Frontline Television Productions Pty Ltd... |
Series
| Award | Winner | Producer |
|---|---|---|
| Best Comedy Series Australian Film Institute Award for Best Television Comedy Series The AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series is awarded by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts as part of the AACTA Awards for television for excellence in comedy... |
Summer Heights High Summer Heights High Summer Heights High is a Logie Award-winning Australian television mockumentary series written by and starring Chris Lilley. It is a parody of high-school life epitomised by its three protagonists: effeminate and megalomaniacal "Director of Performing Arts" Mr G; self-absorbed, privileged teenager... |
Chris Lilley Chris Lilley (comedian) -External links:****... |
| Best Drama Series | Underbelly Underbelly (TV series) Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,... |
Greg Haddrick Greg Haddrick Gregory Bevan Haddrick is an Australian-born Logie Award winning screenwriter and film and television producer.... |
| Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series Australian Film Institute Award for Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series is an award that has been handed out to producers annually since 1986 by the Australian Film Institute... |
East West 101 East West 101 East West 101 is a critically acclaimed and award-winning drama series airing on the SBS network. The series was produced and created by Steven Knapman & Kris Wyld, the team behind other drama series such as Wildside and White Collar Blue.... |
Steve Knapman Steve Knapman Steve Knapman is an Australian television producer. He has received critical acclaim in marketing the genre of police drama to an international audience. His best known television series are with writer Kris Wyld, Wildside, White Collar Blue, East West 101 and The Strip, although he has also... |
Directing
| Award | Winner | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best Direction in Television Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction in Television The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction in Television is awarded annually by the Australian Film Institute as part of the awards in television for excellence in direction. Prior to 1990, two awards existed and were called Best Direction in a Mini Series and Best Direction in a... |
Peter Andrikidis Peter Andrikidis Peter Andrikidis is an Australian television director and producer.Peter Andrikidis graduated from the Australian Film Television and Radio School in Film Direction in 1981 and was immediately recruited to Crawford Productions where he worked on The Flying Doctors.He moved to the ABC, where he... |
Underbelly Underbelly (TV series) Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,... |
Acting
| Award | Winner | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama | Gyton Grantley Gyton Grantley Gyton Grantley is a Logie Award and AFI Award-winning Australian actor, best known for his portrayal of convicted murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams in the hit Australian television show Underbelly, for which he was nominated for both Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Most... |
Underbelly Underbelly (TV series) Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,... |
| Best Actress in a Television Drama | Kat Stewart Kat Stewart Kat Stewart is a Logie Award-winning Australian actress who has made numerous appearances in television series, movies and on-stage.-Career:... |
Underbelly Underbelly (TV series) Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,... |
| Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama | Damian Walshe-Howling Damian Walshe-Howling Damian Walshe-Howling is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Andrew "Benji" Veniamin in the Australian underworld drama, Underbelly, for which he won the Best Supporting or Guest Actor in a Drama Series at the 2008 AFI Awards.-Biography:He also starred on Blue Heelers as Constable Adam... |
Underbelly Underbelly (TV series) Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,... |
| Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama | Madeleine West Madeleine West Madeleine West is an Australian actress known for her TV roles, having played Dee Bliss on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 2000–2003 and high-class escort Mel on Satisfaction from 2007 to 2010.-Career:... |
Underbelly Underbelly (TV series) Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,... |
Writing
| Award | Winner | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Best Screenplay on Television Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay in Television The Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction in Television is awarded annually by the Australian Film Institute as part of the awards in television for excellence in screenplay writing and production. Prior to 1990, two awards existed and were called Best Mini Series Screenplay and Best... |
Santo Cilauro Santo Cilauro Santo Cilauro is an Australian television and feature film producer, screenwriter, actor, author, comedian and cameraman, a co-founder of The D-Generation... , Tom Gleisner Tom Gleisner Tom Gleisner is an Australian director, producer, writer, comedian, occasional actor and author. He was educated at Xavier College in Melbourne, Australia.-Television, radio and film:... and Rob Sitch Rob Sitch Robert Ian Sitch , is an Australian director, producer, screenwriter, actor and comedian.-Early life:Sitch attended St Kevin's College and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Melbourne, where he resided at Trinity College. He worked at the Royal Womans Hospital... |
The Hollowmen The Hollowmen The Hollowmen is an Australian television comedy series set in the offices of the Central Policy Unit, a fictional political advisory unit personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him get re-elected. Their brief is long term vision; to stop worrying about tomorrow's headlines, and focus on... |
Films
The following films received multiple nominations.- 11 nominations:
- The Black BalloonThe Black Balloon (film)The Black Balloon is a 2008 Australian|British AFI award-winning dramedy feature film which stars Toni Collette, Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Erik Thomson, Gemma Ward as well as a cast of newcomers. It is directed by first time feature film director, Elissa Down.The film was released in Australian...
- The Black Balloon
- 10 nominations:
- Unfinished SkyUnfinished SkyUnfinished Sky is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Peter Duncan. It is based on the 1998 Dutch film De Poolse bruid.- Plot :...
- Unfinished Sky
- 7 nominations:
- The JammedThe JammedThe Jammed is a 2007 thriller film written and directed by Dee McLachlan.The film is a story about human trafficking and the sex slave trade in Melbourne, and the search for three girls trapped by a trafficking syndicate...
- The SquareThe Square (2008 film)The Square is a neo-noir thriller film directed by Nash Edgerton, written by his brother Joel Edgerton and Matthew Dabner, and starring David Roberts and Claire van der Boom. Based upon an original idea by Joel, the project was written and then shelved by the actor because he felt it was not...
- The Jammed
Television
The following television series received multiple nominations.- 8 nominations:
- UnderbellyUnderbelly (TV series)Underbelly is a 13-part Australian television mini-series that retells the real events of the 1995–2004 gangland war in Melbourne, and is the first series in the larger Underbelly Franchise. It depicts the key players in Melbourne's criminal underworld, including the Carlton Crew and their rival,...
- Underbelly
- 6 nominations:
- East West 101East West 101East West 101 is a critically acclaimed and award-winning drama series airing on the SBS network. The series was produced and created by Steven Knapman & Kris Wyld, the team behind other drama series such as Wildside and White Collar Blue....
- East West 101
- 3 nominations:
- Summer Heights HighSummer Heights HighSummer Heights High is a Logie Award-winning Australian television mockumentary series written by and starring Chris Lilley. It is a parody of high-school life epitomised by its three protagonists: effeminate and megalomaniacal "Director of Performing Arts" Mr G; self-absorbed, privileged teenager...
- The HollowmenThe HollowmenThe Hollowmen is an Australian television comedy series set in the offices of the Central Policy Unit, a fictional political advisory unit personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him get re-elected. Their brief is long term vision; to stop worrying about tomorrow's headlines, and focus on...
- H2O: Just Add WaterH2O: Just Add WaterH2O: Just Add Water, also known as H2O, is an Australian television programme for children, pre-teens and teenagers, that is filmed on location at Sea World and other locations on the Gold Coast...
- Summer Heights High
- 2 nominations:
- The LibrariansThe LibrariansThe Librarians were a power pop band from Berkeley, California who formed in 1999 by Damon Larson and Ryan Gan. They released one album, The Pathetic Aesthetic, in 2002, which received 4/5 stars from Allmusic....
- RushRush (2008 TV series)-DVD releases:-Achievements:-International distribution:-External links:...
- The Librarians