Hacksaw Ridge sweeps AACTA’s, Women in Film and Television stage ‘sausage party’ protest
Hacksaw Ridge continued its award-winning streak, picking up five AACTA awards last night to add to its tally from Monday’s awards evening, with director Mel Gibson picking up the gong for best direction; however the evening was almost upstaged by a protest by women dressed as sausages in protest of the lack of female nominations.
Hacksaw Ridge continued raking in accolades, with Andrew Garfield and Hugo Weaving winning best lead actor and best supporting actor.
The AACTA Awards’ Women in Film and Television ceremony was interrupted by a group of women dressed in sausage costumes. Orchestrated by Women in Film and Television, the costumed women were highlighting the lack of female nominations within the industry.
The protest coincided with the announcement of the Gender Charter directed at AACTA to address issues of transparency, consistency and intensity of commitment to gender equality within the industry.
Sophie Mathiesen, WIFT president, said: “Women are making more content than ever before and this year’s nominations in not only feature films but also television categories are not all reflective of this fact, a deeply disappointing and shameful situation for a body that proclaims to celebrate the width and breadth of screen excellence.
“It’s certainly not how most of us imaged we would look at our first AACTA’s but it seemed appropriate attire for Australia’s biggest sausage party.”
Pearl Tan, founding member of the Equity Diversity Committee, said: “WTIF have developed a practical way to ensure all filmmakers, regardless of their background or demographics have a chance to further their career via the unique opportunity of the AACTA Awards.”
The feature film and documentary award winners were:
- Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan won best film presented by Foxtel and best original screenplay for Hacksaw Ridge.
- Bill Mechanic, David Permut, Paul Currie and Bruce Davey won the award for best film produced by Foxtel for Hacksaw Ridge.
- Mel Gibson won the AACTA Award for best direction in Hacksaw Ridge.
- Andrew Garfield won the award for best lead actor for his performance in Hacksaw Ridge.
- Hugo Weaving won best supporting actor, for the second year in a row, for his performance in Hacksaw Ridge.
- Miranda Otto won the AACTA for best supporting actress.
- Odessa Young won the award for best lead actress.
- Eva Orner’s Chasing Asylum received the AACTA Award for best feature length documentary.
The television award winners were:
- Pino Amenta ADG and Jo Porter S.P.A won the award for best television drama series for Wentworth.
- Vincent Sheehan, Victoria Madden and Andrew Walker won the AACTA for best telefeature or mini series for The Kettering Incident.
- Elizabeth Debicki won best lead actress in a television drama for her performance in The Kettering Incident.
- Samuel Johnson won beast lead actor in a television drama for his performance in Molly.
- Robyn Butler, Wayne Hope and Ben Grogan from ABC’s Upper Middle Bogan won the AACTA Award for best television comedy series.
- Sarah Scheller and Alison Bell won the AACTA Award for best screenplay in television for ABC’s Comedy Showroom: The Letdown.
- Matty Benson, Tim Toni and Rob Wallace’s Masterchef Australia won the award for best reality television series.
- Wil Anderson, Polly Connolly, Nick Murray, Jon Casimir and Richard Huddleston for ABC’s Gruen won best light entertainment television series.
- Erik Dwyer and Rachel Hardie won the best lifestyle television program for Destination Flavour Scandinavia.
- The AACTA Longforod Lyell Award presented by Shane Jacobson was awarded to Paul Hogan with credits including Crocodile Dundee and The Paul Hogan Show.
- Isla Fisher was presented the AACTA Trailblazer Award which recognises screen practitioners for their portfolio work.
- The Byron Kennedy Award and a $10,000 prize was awarded to artist and director Lynette Wallworth.
Damian Trewhella, AFI and AACTA CEO, said: “The AACTA Awards play an important role in promoting Australian screen practitioners and performers to both our international industry peers and audiences here at home, and tonight’s Awards recognise their outstanding achievements. Their skill, passion and commitment continues to put Australia on the world map for film and television excellence.”
Stuart Ayres, NSW Minister for trade, tourism and major events, said: “NSW is the hub of screen production in Australia and the NSW government is delighted to announce that fittingly, the AACTA Awards will return to Sydney in 2017 through the support of our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.”
Abigail Dawson was Mumbrella's senior content journalist covering event content. She left Mumbrella to move into an agency role in 2020.
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