Russell Crowe announces Gold Coast as new home of AACTAs

Russell Crowe has delivered a not so thinly disguised backhander to the NSW government with the Gold Coast being named as the new host of the ‘Downunder Oscars’.

First they came for the Logies, and now those pesky Queenslanders have nicked the ‘Downunder Oscars’ from Sydney.

Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe briefly jetted to the Gold Coast on Saturday to announce the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards will be held there for the next three years.

The NSW State Government withdrew its $1 million bid to continue hosting the AACTAs after it pitched successfully to lure the arts juggernaut South by Southwest here in March. That left the Palaszczuk government to swoop in and snare the awards for what insiders said was three times the cost.

Crowe, in his capacity as AACTA president, delivered a blunt backhand to the NSW movie industry as he talked up Queensland’s filmmaking chops.

Russell Crowe pictured on the Gold Coast, the new home of the AACTAs. Picture Scott Powick

“I like the way the government up here have been very keen on their focus in making sure that the industry here is growing,” he said.

“Queensland, it has to be said, in terms of film production right now, is leading the way so we want to be here and we want to be involved.

“I like coming here for work (and) I’m looking forward to more of that.

“This is going to be an event that shakes things up and really makes people have a lot of fun.”

Sporting a pair of aviator sunglasses, Crowe looked every bit the Hollywood star as he mingled with industry movers and shakers at the Burleigh Pavilion before taking the stage.

It was a fleeting visit however for the Gladiator, who left the VIP function to head to Melbourne where he will watch the Australian Open finals.

Elvis dominated the AACTA awards last year. Photo by Hugh Stewart

The AACTAs will be broadcast globally for the first time, giving the kind of priceless publicity tourism leaders crave. Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the awards would bring genuine “star power” to the Gold Coast and place the state’s destinations and experiences in the global spotlight.

“It’s Queensland’s time to shine,” he said.

Blockbuster movies such as The Great Gatsby and Elvis have previously dominated the awards, which are held in similar regard to England’s BAFTA Awards during the annual run-in to the Oscars.

Last year’s awards were held in December after complications and delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with the next instalment to be held in February 2024.

Elvis swept the AACTAs last month, with young American actor Austin Butler winning best actor for his portrayal of the King, beating out a field featuring Joel Edgerton.

Additional reporting Jeremy Pierce

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