Melbourne crime thriller Animal Kingdom earns nine AFI gongs
ANIMAL Kingdom was the big winner at last night's AFIs, claiming nine awards including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director.
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ANIMAL Kingdom was the big winner at last night's AFIs, claiming nine awards.
The film won all the major gongs, including Best Picture and Best Director for David Michod.
The dark Melbourne crime thriller had been nominated in a record 18 categories.
Jacki Weaver's gripping performance as the crime matriarch in the film won her the Best Actress AFI.
The veteran actor is a big chance to receive an Academy Award nomination when they are announced next month.
She has said she is not even thinking about an Oscar nod because she does not want to jinx her chances. But most Hollywood experts agree that Weaver is an outside chance.
Animal Kingdom has been a cult hit, receiving favourable reviews in the US.
Ben Mendelsohn, who has been nominated for an AFI eight times, took out the Best Actor award.
It was a big night for Animal Kingdom director Michod, who also won the AFI for Best Original Screenplay.
Avatar star Sam Worthington won the AFI International Award for Best Actor.
Mia Wasikowska won the AFI International Award for Best Actress for her role in Alice in Wonderland.
In the television categories, the big winner was telemovie Hawke, based on the life of former prime minister Bob Hawke. It won three awards - for Best Telefeature, Mini-Series or Short Run Series, Best Direction in Television for Emma Freeman and Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for Richard Roxburgh.
Deborah Mailman was also a big winner, picking up Best Supporting Actress for her role in Bran Nue Day and Best Guest or Supporting Actress in Television drama for her role in Offpsring.
The awards were held at the Regent Theatre and were hosted by Kenny star Shane Jacobson.
AND THE WINNERS ARE:
BEST FILM: Animal Kingdom. Liz Watts
BEST DIRECTION: Animal Kingdom. David Michod
BEST LEAD ACTOR: Ben Mendelsohn. Animal Kingdom
BEST LEAD ACTRESS: Jacki Weaver. Animal Kingdom
BEST TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES: Rush, Season 3. John Edwards, Mimi Butler. Network Ten
BEST TELEFEATURE, MINI SERIES OR SHORT RUN SERIES: Hawke. Richard Keddie. Network Ten
BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA: Richard Roxburgh. Hawke. Network Ten
BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA: Catherine McClements. Tangle, Season 2. Showcase.
INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR: Sam Worthington. Avatar
INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS: Mia Wasikowska. Alice in Wonderland.
