Anticipation around the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards has increased, with the announcement of 23 feature films in competition, and a new Presenting Partner.
Presto, an Australian streaming service offering ad-free movies and television on demand, was announced as the new “Presenting Partner” of the 5th and 6th AACTA Awards; a significant endorsement of Australia’s top screen Awards.
Presto is backed by Foxtel, a major partner of the AACTA Awards, and the Seven Network, broadcast partner of the AACTA Awards, marking the perfect fit.
AACTA also launched the 5th AACTA Awards presented by Presto Official Screenings Program.
The four-week program, which screens in Sydney and Melbourne and online via AACTA TV, brings Australia’s leading screen professionals together with screen fans to watch, discuss and judge the Feature Films, Short Films and Feature Length Documentaries competing for an Award.
A total of 23 Feature Films will compete for the 5th AACTA Awards presented by Presto: Alex & Eve; Blinky Bill the Movie; Cut Snake; The Dressmaker; Force Of Destiny; Holding the Man; Infini; John Doe: Vigilante; Kill Me Three Times; Last Cab to Darwin; Love is Now; Mad Max: Fury Road; Now Add Honey; Oddball; One Eyed Girl; The Pack; Paper Planes; Partisan; Rise; Ruben Guthrie; Strangerland; Touch; unINDIAN.
The screenings program offers a chance to catch up on Australian Feature Films which have released throughout the year, and to see competing films which have not yet released – Alex & Eve, The Dressmaker, unINDIAN and Now Add Honey. Now Add Honey will open the screenings program in Sydney on September 14, then in Melbourne on September 15, with the film’s director Wayne Hope and writer-performer Robyn Butler attending.
The screenings program will be held between 14 September and 8 October in Sydney (Event Cinemas, Bondi Junction) and Melbourne (Cinema Nova), and online via AACTA TV, accessible any time, anywhere. Screenings are exclusive and complimentary to members of the AFI (open to all) and AACTA (accredited screen professionals). The screenings program will be available on the AACTA website from 9am Thursday 27 August 2015.
AFI and AACTA chief executive Damian Trewhella said he is delighted to partner with Presto as the Presenting Partner of the AACTA Awards, offering new opportunities for sharing AACTA Awards content with new audiences around Australia.
“Presto is already a great supporter of Australian screen content, with a dedicated ‘Australian Made’ television showcase, and many Australian films featuring in Presto’s movie showcase. By partnering with the AACTA Awards, Presto is sending a strong message of support for the Australian industry, and we look forward to delivering one of our best Awards seasons yet with our suite of new and returning partners, including Presto in the key role of Presenting Partner.”
Presto Interim CEO Shaun James said: “Presto is delighted to be Presenting Partner for the AACTA Awards. This is the ideal natural partnership with AACTA recognising, encouraging and promoting Australian film and television while Presto celebrates film and television by offering Australians a quality on demand entertainment service.”
Voting will take place following the Official Screenings, with the remaining nominees for the 5th AACTA Awards presented by Presto scheduled to be announced in October 2015.