Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts

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Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts
AbbreviationAACTA
Formation18 August 2011
TypeFilm and television organisation
Purpose"to identify, award, promote and celebrate Australia's greatest achievements in film and television." [1]
Headquarters South Melbourne, Victoria
Location
  • 236 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205
Region served
Australia
President
Russell Crowe
Patron
 George Miller
Parent organisation
 Australian Film Institute (AFI)
Website aacta.org

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) is a professional organisation of film and television practitioners in Australia. The Academy's aim is "to identify, award, promote, and celebrate Australia's greatest achievements in film and television". [1]

Contents

It was established in August 2011 with the backing of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) to act as its industry engagement arm and to administer the AACTA Awards (formerly the Australian Film Institute Awards, also known as the AFI Awards) which rewards achievements in Australian feature film, television, documentary and short films. [2] [3]

The Academy is composed of 15 Chapters, each of which represents different screen artists including actors, directors, producers and writers, and it is overseen by the Academy's president and the Honorary Council. Australian actor Geoffrey Rush was the inaugural President from 2011 to 2017, and hosted the inaugural AACTA Awards in January 2012. [3]

Background

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), is a not for profit, membership based, organisation whose aim is "to identify, award, promote and celebrate Australia's greatest achievements in film and television." [1] The Academy is a subsidiary of the Australian Film Institute (AFI), a non-profit organisation which was established in 1958 to develop an active film culture in Australia and to foster engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry. [4] [5] The AFI was also responsible for administering the Australian Film Institute Awards (more commonly known as the AFI Awards), which until 2011 rewarded Australian practitioners in feature film, television, documentary and short film screen crafts. [4] The Academy receives funding by the AFI, and Australian state and federal governments. [4] [6]

In June 2011, the AFI proposed the establishment of an "Australian Academy". [7] The objectives for the proposed academy was to raise the profile of Australian film and television in Australia and abroad, and to change the way it rewards talent by mimicking the methods used in foreign film organisations, such as Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). [8] The voting system would change through the establishment of an "Honorary Council", which will govern fifteen chapters composed of professionals from industry guilds and organisations including actors, directors, producers and screenwriters. [8] It was also stated that the Academy would not replace the AFI and past winners of the AFI Awards would "[...] constitute the founding heritage of an 'Australian Academy.'" [9] When the announcement of the proposal was made, the AFI began the consultation phase where members of the public and screen industry gave their feedback on the proposed changes throughout June, 2011. [10] Of the announcement Damian Trewhella, CEO of the AFI said, "We thought a better way to engage with the industry would be to try and improve our professional membership structure[...] It's quite a big improvement on the way the AFI does things." [11]

By 20 July, weeks after the consultation period ended, the AFI announced that it would go ahead with the proposed changes and the Australian Academy. [12] When asked about the timing of the announcement Trewhella stated that, "Based on the overwhelming industry support we have received, we are now confident that we are moving in the right direction, and therefore that we can move briskly to establish the initial phase of the Academy." [13] On 18 August 2011, the AFI announced, in a special event at the Sydney Opera House, that the academy would be called the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) and the inaugural awards ceremony would be renamed the AACTA Awards, but serve as a continuum to the annual AFI Awards. [3] [14] During the event it was also made known that the president of the inaugural awards would be Geoffrey Rush. On the night a new gold statuette was revealed, created by Australian sculptor Ron Gomboc, which depicts "a human silhouette based on the shape of the Southern Cross constellation." [5] [15]

Structure

The Academy, which has between 1,500 and 2,000 members, [16] comprises fifteen Chapters, with each representing a different area of speciality in feature film, television, documentary and short film. It is overseen by the Academy's president and the Honorary Council. The role of the Honorary Council is to determine policies and strategies for the way the Academy rewards practitioners. [1] The Chapters are as follows: [17]

President, Vice President, Patron & Ambassador

Source: [18]

Honorary Councillors

Events

Festival of film

The Festival of Film, which is held in conjunction with the Australian Film Institute, showcases the films in competition for the AACTA Awards, with the inaugural festival held in Sydney and Melbourne from October to November in 2011. [22] The festival marks the beginning of the Australian film awards season, and members of the Academy can commence voting for films in all categories, while members of the Institute vote for the Best Short Animation, Best Short Fiction Film and Members' Choice Award only. [23] [24]

Awards

The AACTA Awards replaced the previous Australian Film Institute Awards, but serve as a continuum to past ceremonies. [3] The awards were first instituted by the Australian Film Institute in 1958 (as the Australian Film Awards) as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival, until 1972. [25] Before 1969, awards were presented as a prize to non-feature films due to a lack of feature films produced in Australia. [26] By 1976 competitive film awards were established and in 1987, awards for television was introduced. [27] [28] The awards were usually held at the end of each year in Melbourne but, prior to the announcement of the Academy, the AFI announced that it would move the awards to January 2012 at the Sydney Opera House, in order to align them with the international film awards season. [5] [29] The awards are held over two events: the AACTA Awards Luncheon, a black tie event where accolades are handed out for non-feature and short films, film production, non-drama related television programs and the Raymond Longford Award, and the AACTA Awards Ceremony which hands out the awards in all other categories at a larger venue and is broadcast on television. [30] [31] Additionally, awards for achievements in foreign film were presented once at the AACTA International Awards in Los Angeles in 2012. [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AACTA Awards</span> Cinema and Television awards

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, known as the AACTA Awards, are presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). The awards recognise excellence in the film and television industry, both locally and internationally, including the producers, directors, actors, writers, and cinematographers. It is the most prestigious awards ceremony for the Australian film and television industry. They are generally considered to be the Australian counterpart of the Academy Awards for the U.S. and the BAFTA Awards for the U.K.

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". The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. 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. 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.

The AACTA Award for Best Direction 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." The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role</span>

The AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role 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".

The AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role 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." The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 1971 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. When the AFI launched the Academy in 2011, it changed the annual ceremony to the AACTA Awards, with the current award being a continuation of the AFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

The AACTA Award for Best Cinematography 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." The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 1976 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. 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 Cinematography.

The Longford Lyell Award is a lifetime achievement 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." The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for technical achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 1968 to 2010, the award was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. 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 Raymond Longford Award.

The AACTA Award for Best Production Design 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." The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 1976 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. 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 Production Design.

The AACTA Award for Best Costume Design is an accolade given 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." The award is handed out at the annual AACTA Awards, which rewards achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 1977 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. When the AFI launched the Academy in 2011, it changed the annual ceremony to the AACTA Awards, with the current prize being a continuum of the AFI Award for Best Costume Design. Terry Ryan has received the most awards in this category with five.

The AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series is a television award handed out by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). It was previously awarded by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), from 1991 to 2010, and will continue to be presented by the Academy. It is awarded to a dramatic television series of no fewer than five episodes. It can be a series of self-contained stories which can be screened in any order or a number of interweaving and overlapping plots continuing from one episode to the next.

The AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series is an accolade given 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." The award is handed out at the annual AACTA Awards, which rewards achievements in Australian feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 2003 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. When the AFI launched the Academy in 2011, it changed the annual ceremony to the AACTA Awards, with the current prize being a continuum of the AFI Award for Best Television Comedy Series.

The 1968 Australian Film Awards ceremony, presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), honoured the best feature and non-feature films of 1969, and took place on 2 December 1969 at National Library Theatre, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Australian Prime Minister John Gorton hosted the ceremony. During the ceremony the Australian Film Institute presented two gold, nine silver and bronze prizes, four special awards and certificates for twelve honourable mentions.

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The 1977 Australian Film Awards ceremony, presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), honoured the best Australian films of 1976 on 21 September 1977 at Regent Theatre, in Sydney, New South Wales. It was televised on ABC. Actors Keir Dullea and Karen Black, and former Australian Prime Minister John Gorton hosted the show.

The 22nd Australian Film Institute Awards ceremony, presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), honoured the best Australian feature films of 1980, and took place on 17 September 1980 at Regent Theatre, in Sydney, New South Wales. The ceremony was hosted by Graham Kennedy and televised in Australia on ABC.

The AACTA Award for Best Direction in a Documentary, is a documentary award presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) to the director of an Australian documentary film or television series. Prior to the establishment of the academy in 2011, the award was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI) at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards from 1998 to 2010. The award is presented at the AACTA Awards Luncheon, a black tie event which celebrates achievements in film production, television, documentaries and short films.

The AACTA Award for Best Young Actor 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." The award is presented at the annual AACTA Awards, which hand out accolades for achievements in feature film, television, documentaries and short films. From 1991 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. 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 Young Actors Award.

The AACTA Award for Best Original Screenplay is an award presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), for an Australian screenplay "written directly and originally for the screen". Prior to the establishment of the Academy in 2011, the award was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI) at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It was first handed out in 1978 when the award for Best Screenplay was split into two categories: Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. The award has since been presented intermittently from 1978-1979, 1983-1987, 1989, 1993-2006, and then from 2008-present.

The AACTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay is an award presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), for an Australian screenplay "based on material previously released or published". Prior to the establishment of the Academy in 2011, the award was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI) at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards. It was first handed out in 1978 when the award for Best Screenplay was split into two categories: Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. The award has since been presented intermittently from 1978–1979, 1983–1987, 1989, 1993–2003, 2005–2006, and then from 2008–present.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "AACTA - The Academy". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Staff (19 August 2011). "Rush named president of Australian Oscars". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "AACTA - The Awards, Overview". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 "The Australian Film Institute - About AFI". Australian Film Institute (AFI). Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Adam Fulton (19 August 2011). "AFI is recast with new academy taking a bow". The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  6. ↑ "The Australian Film Institute - Sponsors and Partners". Australian Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  7. ↑ Paul Kalina (29 June 2011). "AFI looks to Academy Awards in reinvention". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media . Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Proposed AFI Developments". Australian Film Institute (AFI). Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  9. ↑ "Building the Australian Film and Television brand". Australian Film Institute (AFI). Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  10. ↑ Staff (1 June 2011). "AFI awards to move to January". Sky News Australia . Australian News Channel Pty Ltd. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  11. ↑ Cara Nash (1 June 2011). "AFI looks to Academy Awards in reinvention". Filmink . Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  12. ↑ Michael Bodey (20 July 2011). "AFI moves ahead with plans to establish academy". The Australian . News Limited (News Corporation). Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  13. ↑ Paul Chai (20 July 2011). "Aussies to open 'Australian Academy'". Variety . Reed Elsevier . Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  14. ↑ Karl Quinn (19 August 2011). "AFI gong gone in hustle for global muscle". The Age . Fairfax Media. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  15. ↑ "The Story of the Statuette". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  16. ↑ Christy Grosz (27 January 2012). "Australian Academy lauds 'Artist'". Variety. Reed Elsevier. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "AACTA - Honorary Council" (PDF). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  18. ↑ AACTA - Our People
  19. ↑ Siemienowicz, Rochelle (9 August 2012). "Last Dance – an interview with producer Antony I. Ginnane". Australian Film Institute (AFI) Blog. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  20. ↑ McCrae-Moore, Lia (16 August 2012). "AACTA Member Spotlight: Nikki Gooley – Hair & Make-Up Artist". Australian Film Institute (AFI) Blog. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  21. ↑ Siemienowicz, Rochelle (21 December 2011). "Focus on the Television Nominees: Part 2 – Direction and Screenplay". Australian Film Institute (AFI) Blog. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  22. ↑ "AFI/AACTA Festival of Films announced". Encore Magazine. 21 September 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  23. ↑ Staff (21 September 2011). "New Festival of Film sees exciting start to Australian screen awards season" (PDF). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  24. ↑ "Festival of Film Starts Exciting Awards Season". Australian Film Institute (AFI). 29 September 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  25. ↑ French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 29. ISBN   978-1-876467-20-3.
  26. ↑ French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 108. ISBN   978-1-876467-20-3.
  27. ↑ French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. pp. 142–182. ISBN   978-1-876467-20-3.
  28. ↑ French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 113. ISBN   978-1-876467-20-3.
  29. ↑ Staff (19 August 2011). "Geoffrey Rush at the helm for Aussie Oscars". The Australian. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  30. ↑ "AACTA - The Awards - Dates". Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Retrieved 8 November 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  31. ↑ Daly, Brooke (15 January 2012). "Australian Academy Launches New International Awards in Los Angeles" (PDF). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  32. ↑ "AACTA - Awards Presented" (PDF). Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
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