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AFI/AACTA Awards

History:

The Australian Film Institute (AFI) introduced the prestigious AFI Awards in 1958 to recognize Australian screen excellence. Aiming at the global recognition of Australian film and television the AFI launched the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) in August 2011. Geoffrey Rush, the internationally acclaimed actor was selected as the President of the Australian Academy.

Following the launch of the new academy, AFI Awards was renamed as the AACTA Awards. Date and venue of the prestigious awards ceremony was shifted to January 2012 at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney. Previously the ceremony was held at Melbourne.

The first AFI Awards ceremony held in 1958 had six Award categories where as the present AACTA Awards include over 50 awards. Until 1970 the award recognized the film and production alone. From 1971 onwards individual achievements of actors, directors, screenwriters, musicians, editors and cinematographers in feature films are also recognized through special achievement awards.

Additional cash prize was introduced in 1975. Television categories were included in 1986 and the award was further expanded to include dramas, comedies and documentaries in the 1990s.

Award Conditions:

Only Australian production/ program are eligible.

If it is a film, it shouldn’t have been submitted for an award previously. Send the content to the AFI in DVD or video formats.

Only those feature films that are publicly exhibited for seven consecutive days in at least two Australian states are considered for the award.

Television and documentaries broadcasted on television during the eligibility period are considered for nomination.

Entry fee for feature films comes around A$1680, $400 for documentaries, $330 for short film and animation and $1125 for television categories.

Award Categories:

The Australian Film Institute (AFI) rewards outstanding professionals in the Australian film as well as television industry, including producers, directors, actors and writers.