Stars out for Australian film industry's big night

RACHAEL Taylor and Miranda Kerr were among the celebrities to walk the red carpet at Australian film's big awards night in Sydney.

Film awards

RACHAEL Taylor, Megan Gale and Callan McAuliffe, the actor playing the young Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby, were among the first celebrities to walk the red carpet at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.

It was the inaugural ceremony for the AACTAs which replace the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards.

Keeping in line with the night's trend of black and white attire, Gale walked the carpet at the Sydney Opera House tonight in a black and white full length gown with plunging neckline.

Xavier Samuel, who soared to international fame in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and stars as the groom in new Australian comedy A Few Best Men, praised the state of Australian film.

"The Australian film industry is thriving. I think Red Dog is a terrific film," he told AAP.

"The important thing is Australians are going to see Australian films."

Taylor, who stars in Red Dog which is up for eight awards at the ceremony, donned a black dress with fishnet cutouts designed by Dion Lee.

AAP