Above: Anna Torv (Acting, 2001) in The Newsreader
NIDA congratulates our outstanding alumni for their nominations in the 2021 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. Eleven NIDA alumni have been nominated for AACTA Awards and more than 75 alumni have played key roles in nominated programsacross 35 films, TV series and shorts.
FILM
Nitram
Directed by JustinKurzel(Design, 1995),Nitram picked up seven nominations, including Best Film, Best Direction (forKurzel), Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography,Best Actress for Judy Davis (Acting, 1977) and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis (Acting, 1992).AliceBabidge(Design, 2004),is nominated for both Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
The Dry (Genevieve O’Reilly, above)
Nominated forBestFilm, Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, withGenevieve O’Reilly (Acting, 2000)nominatedfor Best Actress and Miranda Tapsell (Acting, 2008) for Best Supporting Actress.
Rams
Nominated for Best FilmandBest Costume Design in Film nomination forTess Schofield (Design, 1986). Directed by Jeremy Sims (Acting, 1990) and stars Travis McMahon (Acting, 1995).
Other awards
High Ground nominated for Best Filmfeatures RyanCorr(Acting, 2009) with production design by Ross Wallace (Design, 1985)
Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt) nominated for Best Indie Filmexecutive producer is Spencer McLaren (Acting, 1990), starring JuliaBillington(Acting, 2008) with production design by Jamie Cranney (Design, 2010).
Lone Wolf nominated for Best Indie Film, withJosh McConville (Acting, 2008), Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1981) and TylerCoppin(Acting, 1979)
Moon Rock for Monday nominated for Best Indie Filmstarring Aaron Jeffery (Acting, 1993) with costume design by AndrewInfanti(Costume, 1994)
Under My Skinnominated for Best Indie Filmstarring Alex Russell (Acting, 2004), co-produced bySarah-JaneMcAllan(Design, 2010)
TELEVISION
The Newsreader
Nominated for Best Drama Series with AnnaTorv(Acting, 2001) nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Drama. Nominated also for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy, BestScreenplay in Television, Best Cinematography in Television. Executive Producer Sally Riley (Directing, 1993).
Fires (above)
Nominated for Best Miniseries or Telefeature. Miranda Otto (Acting, 1990) nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Drama, Richard Roxburgh (Acting, 1986) is nominated for Best Lead Actor. Also nominated for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy, Best Cinematography in Television.
Fires also features AnnaTorv(Acting, 2001), Sam Worthington (Acting, 1998), Kate Box (Acting, 2003), Ian Bliss (Acting, 1993), Sally McKenzie (Acting, 1977), Anna Lise Phillips (Acting, 1996) with Executive Producer Sally Riley (Directing, 1993).
Wakefield (above)
Nominated for Best Drama Series. Harriet Dyer (Acting, 2007) is nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama. Harry Greenwood (Acting, 2012) for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. Also nominated for Best Direction in Drama or Comedy and Best Screenplay in Television.
Also stars Guy Simon (Acting, 2010) with Executive Producer Sally Riley (Directing, 1993) and SamMeikle(Playwrights Studio, 2000), who is also a writer and co-showrunner on the show. Costume design byXantheHeubel(Design, 2003), costume supervisor Kim Scott (Design, 2003), art direction by AdrianBritnell(Properties, 1997).
Preppers
Nominated for Best Narrative Comedy Series. FeaturesMeyneWyatt (Acting, 2010), Miranda Tapsell (Acting, 2008), Yael Stone (Acting, 2006), Annie Maynard (Acting, 2004), JosephAlthouse(Acting, 2018), Shakira Clanton (Acting, 2015), ShariSebbens(Acting, 2009) and Toby Schmitz (Acting, 1999) with Series Costume Design by Rita Carmody (Design, 2007). Sally Riley (Directing, 1993) executive producer and EnochMailangi(Writing for Performance, 2021) has a writing credit.
Other awards:
Total Control nominated for Best Drama Series, Best Screenplay in Television, with Executive Producer Sally Riley (Directing, 1993), starring Rob Collins (Acting, 2013)andseason 2 featuring Anita Hegh (Acting, 1994) and Colin Friels (Acting, 1976) with set decoration by Jamie Cranney (Design, 2010).
A Sunburnt Christmas (above) nominated for Best Miniseries or Telefeature and Best Cinematography in Television. Written by Gretel Vella (Writing for Performance, 2017), Timothy Walker (Acting, 2018) and Elliot Vella (Writing for performance, 2019) with costume design by Theo Benton (Design, 1987).
New Gold Mountain nominated for Best Miniseries or Telefeature. FeaturesMabel Li (Acting, 2019).
TheUnusual Suspectsnominated for Best Miniseries or Telefeature. It featuresMiranda Otto (Acting, 1990), Michelle Vergara Moore (Acting, 2005)Heather Mitchell, (Acting, 1980), Toby Leonard Moore (Acting, 2005) and Sandy Gore (Acting, 1966)
Frayed nominated for Best Narrative Comedy Series. Features DorisYounane(Acting, 1986) and Christopher Stollery (Acting, 1987) with series production design by Fiona Donovan (Design, 1992).
Wentworth was nominated for Best Drama Series.Season 8, which premiered in July, features a few new faces including VivienneAwosoga(Dip Musical Theatre, 2015; Acting, 2018) and Kate Box (Acting 2003). Susie Porter (Acting, 1995) and Katrina Milosevic (Acting, 1997) returned as Marie and Boomer, respectively. Series production design and art direction by Kate Saunders (Technical Production, 1984).
Jack Irish nominated for Best Drama Series, with Executive Producer Sally Riley (Directing, 1993), director Greg McLean (Directing, 1993)
Clickbait nominated for Best Drama Series, with cast includingElizabeth Alexander (Acting, 1973), Ezra Bix (Acting, 1985), Jake Speer (Acting, 2012), Debra Lawrance (Acting, 1977), Ash Ricardo (Acting, 2008), Andrea Demetriades (Acting, 2006), Danielle Carter (Acting, 1993), Terence Crawford (Acting, 1984), Bill Zeng (DSSP, 2019), Paula Arundell (Acting, 1995).
The End nominated for Best Miniseries or Telefeature, with series costume design by Lisa Meagher (Design, 1987).
Aftertaste nominated for Best Narrative Comedy Series, featuring Susan Prior (Acting, 1991) and RemyHii(Acting, 2011).
Fisk nominated for Best Narrative Comedy Series features DebraLawrance(Acting, 1977).
Rosehaven nominated for Best Narrative Comedy Series starring Kris McQuade (Acting, 1971).
Dom and Adrian: 2020 nominated for Best Comedy Entertainment Program, Executive Producer is former NIDA Board Member Ian Collie.
The Moth Effect nominated for Best Comedy Entertainment Program starring Kate Box (Acting, 2003).
Spicks & Specks nominated for Best Comedy Entertainment Program talent producer isSanciaRobinson (Acting, 1998).
Hardballnominated for Best Children’s Program, starring HelenDallimore(Acting, 1995) with Series Costume Design by Rita Carmody (Design, 2007)
The Bureau of Magical Things nominated for Best Children’s Program written by Alexa Wyatt (Playwrights, 1988).
Dive Club nominated for Best Children’s Program, producers Spencer McLaren (Acting, 1999) and KylieMascord(Technical Production, 2000).
Short form
The Tailings scored a nomination for Best Short Form Drama, featuringMabel Li (Acting, 2019),Kris McQuade (Acting, 1971) Nic English (Acting, 2017) and Shaun Martindale (Singer Actor Dancer program, 2000).
Nominated for Best Short Form Drama,Beautiful They, with costume and production design by Emma White (Design for Performance, 2019).
Nominated forBest Short Form Drama,You and Me Before and After,stars Yael Stone (Acting, 2006).
All My Friends are Racist was nominated for Best Short Form Comedy. Created and written by EnochMailangi(Writing for Performance, 2021) and starring TuuliNarkle(Acting, 2018).
TheAwards will be held at the iconic Sydney Opera House on Wednesday December 8.
For the full list of nominees aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/
