The winners of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) announced the winners for the 11th AACTA International Awards, honouring the world’s best achievements in screen excellence.
Australian actress Nicole Kidman won best lead actress in film for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos.
She said: “This is an enormous honour to accept this award…It means so much to have this acknowledged by my Australian film peers…Thank you AACTA. Thank you Australia. I’m completely chuffed.”
Benedict Cumberbatch took out best lead actor in film for his role in The Power of the Dog, which was written, produced, and directed by AACTA Award-winner Jane Campion.
The British actor said of the Australian film industry, “I am so humbled and grateful to receive your Best Actor Award… To get this from your industry, and what an industry, you are world leaders, and your exports are iconic, and trailblazing, and inspirational, and have been to me throughout my career.”
Young Australian actor Kodi Smit-McPhee also stars in the western psychological drama and bagged himself the best supporting actor in film award.
Meanwhile on TV screens, Kate Winslet won for best lead actress in a series in the HBO crime drama Mare of Easttown.
The British actress said: “I have always felt so supported by AACTA, I feel sometimes a bit like an honorary Australian because you have acknowledged me before now and it always means a huge amount to be included, to be brought into your film and television community in this way means a lot. I have such admiration for the skill of actors and filmmakers in Australia, so thank you.”
Australian actor Murray Bartlett won the award for best lead actor in a series in hit HBO comedy-drama The White Lotus.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be celebrated in Australia, my home, by Australians who feel like family to me and by the Australian film and TV industry that inspired me my whole life and continues to inspire me. Thank you, it’s a very meaningful recognition for me,” he said.
AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. After another challenging year for our industry, it’s fantastic that we’re able to honour the films and TV shows that have kept us entertained at a time we’ve needed it most.
“The calibre of nominees is outstanding, and we are overjoyed by the Australian representation across both film and TV. We wish this year’s winners and nominees all of the best throughout the 2022 Award season and look forward to seeing what they do next,” he added.
Stuart Ayres, NSW minister for tourism said: “Sydney and NSW are home to some of the world’s best filming locations and have proven to be world-class destinations for screen production.”
“It is fantastic to see this creativity triumph over adversity of recent times to deliver an incredible award-winning line-up of film and television productions. I congratulate all the winners of this year’s AACTA International Awards for the dedication and innovation to their craft that these awards represent.
“The AACTA International Awards underscore the importance of the screen industry to the NSW visitor economy, which we look forward to providing continued support to ensure its ongoing success,” he added.