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SAFC supported productions scoop AACTAs

05 December 2019

SAFC supported film The Nightingale scooped the pool at last night’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards in Sydney, winning four awards including Australia’s highest film honour – Best Film.

The period revenge drama also won Best Direction and Best Screenplay for Jennifer Kent, making her the first woman to win all three top awards, and her second Best Direction AACTA after winning in 2015 for SA made film The Babadook. The Nightingale also picked up the award for Best Lead Actress for star Aisling Franciosi. 

South Australian made SBS drama series The Hunting, by Adelaide’s Closer Productions, picked up the award for Best Supporting Actor for star Richard Roxburgh, while South Australian born actor Damon Herriman won Best Lead Actor for his role in feature film Judy & Punch.

For the second year in a row Best Comedy Program went to SAFC supported ABC show The Letdown, which also scored Best Performance in a Television Comedy for star Alison Bell.

The wins follow earlier success at the first round of AACTA Awards announced on Tuesday December 3, when South Australian screen practitioners and SAFC supported films picked up five awards.

South Australian made and SAFC supported feature Hotel Mumbai won the award for Best Editing for editor Peter McNulty and editor, director and co-writer Anthony Maras.

Writers Matthew Cormack, of Closer Productions, and Niki Aken won the Best Screenplay in Television award for episode 3 of South Australian made SBS series The Hunting.

The Nightingale won the Best Supporting Actress award for Northern Territory Yirrkala actor Magnolia Maymuru, and the Best Casting award for Nikki Barrett.

South Australian animator Greg Holfeld won the Best Short Animation award for his short film Pinchpot.

Congratulations to all the 2019 AACTA winners.

To see the full list of winners and nominees, click here.