Best Film
AACTA Award
Awarded forBest Australian film of the year
CountryAustralia
Presented byAustralian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA)
First awarded1969
Currently held byElvis (2022)
Websitehttp://www.aacta.org

The AACTA Award for Best Film is an award presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), a non-profit organisation whose aim is to "identify, award, promote, and celebrate Australia's greatest achievements in film and television".[1] The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films.[2] From 1969 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards (known as the AFI Awards).[3] When the AFI launched the Academy in 2011, it changed the annual ceremony to the AACTA Awards, with the current award being a continuum of the AFI Award for Best Film.[3]

From 1969 to 1975, the award was presented as a gold, silver, bronze or grand prix prize, or in some years, a cash prize.[4][5] The first winner, Jack and Jill: A Postscript, was nominated in the "general" category of the 1969 awards, and received a silver prize.[6][7] Because non-feature films dominated the Australian film industry at that time, the film was submitted in the general category.[6][7] Despite this, it is considered the first winner by the Academy. From the 1976 Australian Film Awards, the award became competitive, and has been given as such since then.[8]

To be eligible, the film must be Australian; consist of a dramatised story of at least 70 minutes duration; and be publicly exhibited in a commercial cinema for a minimum of seven consecutive days, in at least two capital cities (one of which is Sydney or Melbourne).[9] The producer of the film is considered the nominee, and is presented the award upon winning.[10]

Winners and nominees

In the following table, the years listed correspond to the year of film release; the ceremonies are usually held the same year.[A] Films in bold and in dark blue background have received a gold, silver, bronze or grand prix prize, or a cash prize; those in bold and in yellow background have won a regular competitive award. Films that are neither highlighted nor in bold are the nominees. When sorted chronologically, the table always lists the winning film first and then the other nominees.[11][12]

  Winner of a gold, silver or bronze prize (1969–1975)
  Winner of a competitive award (1976–present)
Year Film Producer(s)
AFI Awards
1960s
1969
(11th) 		Jack and Jill: A Postscript[B] Phillip Adams and Brian Robinson
1970s
1970
(12th) 		Three to Go: Michael[C] Gil Brealey
1971
(13th) 		Homesdale[D] Grahame Bond and Richard Brennan
1972
(14th) 		Stork[E] Tim Burstall
1973
(15th) 		27A[F] Haydn Keenan
Libido: The Child[F] Christopher Muir and John B. Murray
1974–75
(16th and
17th)
Sunday Too Far Away[G] Gil Brealey and Matt Carroll
Petersen[H] Tim Burstall
Between Wars[H] Michael Thornhill
1976
(18th)
The Devil's Playground Fred Schepisi
Caddie Anthony Buckley
Picnic at Hanging Rock Hal and Jim McElroy
Pure Shit Bob Weis
1977
(19th)
Storm Boy Matt Carroll and Jane Scott
Break of Day Patricia Lovell
Don's Party Phillip Adams
The Picture Show Man Joan Long
1978
(20th)
Newsfront David Elfick
Mouth to Mouth John Duigan and Jon Sainken
Patrick Richard Franklin and Antony I. Ginnane
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Fred Schepisi
1979
(21st)
My Brilliant Career Margaret Fink
Cathy's Child Pom Oliver and Errol Sullivan
In Search of Anna Esben Storm
Mad Max Byron Kennedy
1980s
1980
(22nd)
Breaker Morant Matt Carroll
Manganinnie Gilda Baracchi
...Maybe This Time Brian Kavanagh
Stir Richard Brennan
1981
(23rd)
Gallipoli Patricia Lovell and Robert Stigwood
The Club Matt Carroll
Winter of Our Dreams Richard Mason
Wrong Side of the Road Graeme Isaac and Ned Lander
1982
(24th)
Lonely Hearts John B. Murray
Goodbye Paradise Jane Scott
Monkey Grip Patricia Lovell
We of the Never Never Greg Tepper and John B. Murray
1983
(25th)
Careful, He Might Hear You Jill Robb
Man of Flowers Jane Ballantyne and Paul Cox
Phar Lap John Sexton
The Year of Living Dangerously Jim McElroy
1984
(26th)
Annie's Coming Out Don Murray
My First Wife Jane Ballantyne and Paul Cox
Silver City Joan Long
Strikebound Miranda Bain, Richard Lowenstein and Timothy White
1985
(27th)
Bliss Anthony Buckley
A Street to Die Bill Bennett
Fran David Rapsey
Unfinished Business Rebel Penfold-Russell
1986
(28th)
Malcolm Margaret Fink
Short Changed Ross Matthews
The Fringe Dwellers Sue Milliken
The More Things Change... Jill Robb
1987
(29th)
The Year My Voice Broke Terry Hayes, George Miller and Doug Mitchell
Ground Zero Michael Pattinson
High Tide Sandra Levy
The Tale of Ruby Rose Bryce Menzies, Andrew Wiseman
1988
(30th)
The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey David Elfick
Boulevard of Broken Dreams Frank Howson, Jacques Khouri and William J. Vass
Grievous Bodily Harm Richard Brennan
Mull D. Howard Grigsby
1989
(31st)
Evil Angels[13] Verity Lambert
Dead Calm Terry Hayes, George Miller and Doug Mitchell
Ghosts... of the Civil Dead Evan English
Island Paul Cox and Santhana K. Naidu
1990s
1990
(32nd)
Flirting Terry Hayes, George Miller and Doug Mitchell
Blood Oath Charles Waterstreet and Denis Whitburn
Struck by Lightning Terry J. Charatsis and Trevor Farrant
The Big Steal Nadia Tass and Davide Parker
1991
(33rd)
Proof Lynda House
Death in Brunswick Timothy White
Dingo Rolf de Heer, Giorgio Draskovic, Marie-Pascale Osterrieth, Marc Rosenberg
Spotswood Richard Brennan and Timothy White
1992
(34th)
Strictly Ballroom Tristram Miall
Black Robe Robert Lantos, Sue Milliken and Stéphane Reichel
Romper Stomper Ian Pringle and Daniel Scharf
The Last Days of Chez Nous Jan Chapman
1993
(35th)
The Piano Jan Chapman
Map of the Human Heart Tim Bevan and Vincent Ward
On My Own Leo Pescarolo and Elisa Resegotti
The Heartbreak Kid Ben Gannon
1994
(36th)
Muriel's Wedding Lynda House and Jocelyn Moorhouse
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Al Clark, Michael Hamlyn
Bad Boy Bubby Rolf de Heer, Domenico Procacci, Giorgio Draskovic
The Sum of Us Hal McElroy
1995
(37th)
Angel Baby Jonathan Shteinman and Timothy White
All Men Are Liars John Maynard
Hotel Sorrento Richard Franklin and Peter Fitzpatrick
That Eye, the Sky Hal McElroy
1996
(37th)
Shine Jane Scott
Children of the Revolution Tristram Miall
Love and Other Catastrophes Helen Bandis, Stavros Kazantzidis and Yael Bergman
Mr. Reliable Hal McElroy
1997
(39th)
Kiss or Kill Bill Bennett
Blackrock David Elfick, Rick Enright and Melanie Ritchie
Doing Time for Patsy Cline Chris Kennedy
The Well Sandra Levy
1998
(40th)
The Interview Bill Hughes
The Boys Robert Connolly and John Maynard
Head On Jane Scott
Radiance Ned Lander and Andy Myer
1999
(41st)
Two Hands Marian Macgowan
Praise Martha Coleman
Siam Sunset Max Dann and Andrew Knight
Soft Fruit Helen Bowden
2000s
2000
(42nd)
Looking for Alibrandi Robyn Kershaw
Better Than Sex Frank Cox and Bruna Papandrea
Bootmen Hilary Linstead
Chopper Michele Bennett
2001
(43rd)
Lantana Jan Chapman
The Bank John Maynard
The Dish Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Michael Hirsh, Jane Kennedy and Rob Sitch
Moulin Rouge! Baz Luhrmann, Fred Baron and Martin Brown
2002
(44th)
Rabbit-Proof Fence Phillip Noyce, Christine Olsen and John Winter
Australian Rules Mark Lazarus
Beneath Clouds Teresa-Jayne Hanlon
The Tracker Julie Ryan and Rolf de Heer
2003
(45th)
Japanese Story Sue Maslin
Alexandra's Project Rolf de Heer and Antonio Zeccola
Gettin' Square Martin Fabinyi, Timothy White, Trisha Lake
The Rage in Placid Lake Marian McGowan
2004
(46th)
Somersault Anthony Anderson and Jan Chapman
Love's Brother Jane Scott
The Old Man Who Read Love Stories Julie Ryan
Tom White Daniel Scharf
2005
(47th)
Look Both Ways Bridget Ikin, Barbara Masel and Andrew Myer
Little Fish Robert Mullis, Devesh Chetty and Kirk D'amico
Oyster Farmer Anthony Buckley and Piers Tempest
The Proposition Chris Brown, Jackie O'Sullivan, Chiara Menage and Cat Villiers
2006
(48th)
Ten Canoes Rolf de Heer and Julie Ryan
Candy Margaret Fink and Emile Sherman
Jindabyne Philippa Bateman, Garry Charny and Catherine Jarman
Kenny Clayton Jacobson and Rohan Timlock
2007
(49th)
Romulus, My Father Robert Connolly and John Maynard
The Home Song Stories Michael McMahon and Liz Watts
Lucky Miles Jo Dyer and Lesley Dyer
Noise Trevor Blainey
2008
(50th)
The Black Balloon Tristram Miall
The Jammed Dee McLachlan and Andrea Buck
The Square Louise Smith
Unfinished Sky Cathy Overett and Anton Smit
2009
(51st)
Samson and Delilah Kath Shelper
Balibo Anthony LaPaglia, John Maynard, Dominic Purcell and Rebecca Williamson
Beautiful Kate Bryan Brown and Leah Churchill-Brown
Blessed Al Clark, Barbara Gibbs, Phil Hunt, Marian Macgowan and Compton Ross
Mao's Last Dancer Jane Scott
Mary and Max Melanie Coombs
2010s
2010
(52nd)
Animal Kingdom Liz Watts
Beneath Hill 60 Bill Leimbach
Bran Nue Dae Robyn Kershaw and Graeme Isaac
Bright Star Jan Chapman and Caroline Hewitt
The Tree Sue Taylor and Yael Fogiel
Tomorrow, When the War Began Andrew Mason and Michael Boughen
AACTA Awards
2011
(1st)
Red Dog Nelson Woss and Julie Ryan
The Eye of the Storm Antony Waddington, Gregory J. Read and Fred Schepisi
The Hunter Vincent Sheehan
Mad Bastards David Jowsey, Alan Pigram, Stephen Pigram and Brendan Fletcher
Oranges and Sunshine Camilla Bray, Emile Sherman and Iain Canning
Snowtown Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw
2012
(2nd)
The Sapphires Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne
Burning Man Andy Paterson and Jonathan Teplitzky
Lore Karsten Stöter, Liz Watts, Paul Welsh and Benny Drechsel
Wish You Were Here Angie Fielder
2013
(3rd)
The Great Gatsby Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, and Catherine Knapman
Dead Europe Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, and Liz Watts
Mystery Road David Jowsey
The Rocket Sylvia Wilczynski
Satellite Boy David Jowsey, Julie Ryan, and Catriona McKenzie
The Turning Robert Connolly, Maggie Miles, and The Turning Ensemble
2014
(4th)
The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Molière
The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Troy Lum, and Keith Rodger
Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr, and Rolf de Heer
Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig, and Michael Spierig
The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson, and Bill Curbishley
Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning
2015
(5th)[14]
Mad Max: Fury Road Doug Mitchell, P. J. Voeten, George Miller
The Dressmaker Sue Maslin
Holding the Man Kylie du Fresne
Last Cab to Darwin Greg Duffy, Lisa Duff and Jeremy Sims
Paper Planes Robert Connolly, Maggie Miles, Liz Kearney
2016
(6th)
Hacksaw Ridge Bill Mechanic, David Permut, Paul Currie and Bruce Davey
The Daughter Jan Chapman and Nicole O’Donohue
Girl Asleep Jo Dyer
Goldstone David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin
Tanna Martin Butler, Bentley Dean and Carolyn Johnson
2017
(7th)
Lion Iain Canning, Angie Fielder, Emile Sherman
Ali's Wedding Sheila Jayadev, Helen Panckhurst
Berlin Syndrome Polly Staniford
Hounds of Love Melissa Kelly
Jasper Jones David Jowsey, Vincent Sheehan
2018
(8th)
Sweet Country David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin
Boy Erased Joel Edgerton, Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky Roberts
Breath Simon Baker, Jamie Hilton, Mark Johnson
Cargo Russell Ackerman, Kristina Ceyton, Samantha Jennings, Mark Patterson
Ladies in Black Sue Milliken, Allanah Zitserman
2019
(9th)
The Nightingale Kristina Ceyton, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Jennifer Kent
Hotel Mumbai Basil Iwanyk, Gary Hamilton, Julie Ryan, Jomon Thomas
Judy and Punch Michele Bennett, Nash Edgerton, Danny Gabai
The King Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Liz Watts, David Michôd, Joel Edgerton
Ride Like a Girl Richard Keddie, Rachel Griffiths, Susie Montague
Top End Wedding Rosemary Blight, Kylie du Fresne, Kate Croser
2020s
2020
(10th)
Babyteeth Alex White
H is for Happiness Julie Ryan, Tenille Kennedy, Lisa Hoppe
I Am Woman Rosemary Blight, Unjoo Moon
The Invisible Man Kylie du Fresne, Jason Blum
True History of the Kelly Gang Hal Vogel, Liz Watts, Justin Kurzel, Paul Ranford
Relic Anna McLeish, Sarah Shaw
2021
(11th)
Nitram Nick Batzias, Shaun Grant, Justin Kurzel, Virginia Whitwell
The Dry Eric Bana, Robert Connolly, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea
The Furnace Tenille Kennedy, Timothy White
High Ground Stephen Maxwell Johnson, David Jowsey, Witiyana Marika, Maggie Miles, Greer Simpkin
Penguin Bloom Emma Cooper, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Naomi Watts
Rams Janelle Landers, Aidan O'Bryan
2022
(12th)
Elvis Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick, Schuyler Weiss
Here Out West Sheila Jayadev, Annabel Davis, Bree-Anne Sykes
Sissy Lisa Shaunessy, John De Margheriti, Jason Taylor, Bec Janek
The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson Bain Stewart, David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn, Greer Simpkin, Leah Purcell
The Stranger Rachel Gardner, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Joel Edgerton, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Kim Hodgert
Three Thousand Years of Longing Doug Mitchell, George Miller

Notes

A^ : From 1958–2010, the awards were held during the year of the films release. However, the 1974–75 awards was held in 1975 for films released in 1974 and 1975, and the first AACTA Awards were held in 2012 for films released in 2011.[15][16]
B^ : Jack and Jill: A Postscript received a silver prize, and was nominated in the "general category" in 1969.[17]
C^ : Three to Go: Michael received the Grand Prix award for the film in 1970.[18]
D^ : Homesdale was the winner of the Grand Prix award in 1971, and was the last film to receive this prize.[19]
E^ : Stork was awarded the Australian Film Development Corporation Award for the Best Fiction Film over 65 minutes, and was given a five-thousand dollar cash prize.[20]
F1 2 : Libido: The Child and 27A were joint recipients of the gold prize for fiction in 1973.[21]
G^ : Sunday Too Far Away won the golden reel prize, and an additional A$5000, at the 1974–75 Awards.[22][23]
H1 2 : Although not considered to be nominees, Petersen and Between Wars won the silver and bronze prizes, respectively.[22][23] They are not highlighted in dark blue, in order not to confuse the reader in regards to who the winner is, and in order of precedence gold was always the highest honour, followed by silver then bronze.[4]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ "AACTA – The Academy". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  2. ^ "AACTA – The Academy – The Awards". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b "AACTA – The Academy – Background". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 3 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.
  5. ^ "IMDb Australian Film Institute Awards". The Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. ^ a b Staff (3 December 1969). "P.M. Presents Film Awards". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. ^ a b French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 110. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.
  8. ^ "AACTA – Past Winners: 1969". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Part2: Rule 5 – Special Conditions for Feature Film" (PDF). 2013 AACTA Awards Rule Book. Australian Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  10. ^ "Part2: Rule 5.4 – Special Rules for Best Film" (PDF). 2013 AACTA Awards Rule Book. Australian Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  11. ^ Winners and nominees by year:
  12. ^ Additional winners and nominees references:
    • French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.
    • French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.
    • French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 167. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.
    • French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.
  13. ^ "A Cry in the Dark (1988) – Release dates". IMDb.com. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  14. ^ Winners & Nominees | AACTA
  15. ^ "AACTA – Past Winners – 1970–1979–1974–1975". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  16. ^ Bodey, Michael (8 November 2011). "Industry academy announces new awards". The Australian. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  17. ^ Staff (3 December 1969). "Film award for life of bullocky". The Age. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  18. ^ "MILESAGO – Awards". Milesago. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  19. ^ "AACTA – Past Winners – 1970–1979–1971". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  20. ^ "AACTA – Past Winners – 1970–1979–1972". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  21. ^ "AACTA – Past Winners – 1970–1979–1973". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  22. ^ a b Staff (24 March 1975). "Shearer feature gets good clip of 'Oscars'". The Age. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  23. ^ a b Staff (24 March 1975). "Shearers' strike film wins top Aust award". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2012.

External links

AACTA Award for Best Film
AACTA Awards
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