Aussie film awards reach for stars

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts is the new body that evolved out of the Australian Film Institute (AFI). It announced its first global nominations with simultaneous ceremonies in Sydney and Los Angeles.

The article says the 10 contenders for best international film include the leading Golden Globe and Oscar front-runners — including The Artist, The Descendants, Hugo — as well as edgier dramas such as Melancholia, The Tree of Life and We Need to Talk About Kevin.

The best actor field highlighted George Clooney for The Descendants, Leonardo DiCaprio for J. Edgar, and Brad Pitt for Moneyball.

Meryl Streep led the best actress nominees for The Iron Lady, alongside Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs and Kirsten Dunst for Melancholia. Australia’s sole contender in that category was Mia Wasikowska for Jane Eyre.

At the Sydney lunch the adaptation of Patrick White’s The Eye of the Storm won best production design and best costume design; the Tasmanian drama The Hunter claimed best cinematography and original music score; and Snowtown collected best editing and best sound.

The AFI Members’ Choice Award went to the box-office hit Red Dog. The award was accepted by the film’s producer Nelson Woss, who left the canine star Koko at home.

The first global nominations were announced in simultaneous ceremonies held in Sydney and Los Angeles, reflecting a more international outlook for Australia’s main film awards.

Very international — the nominations included major Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep, and best international film contenders that matched Golden Globe and Oscar front-runners.