NSW productions dominate 2014 AACTA awards

Minister for the Arts, George Souris, has congratulated NSW film and television producers who have dominated at the 2014 AACTA Awards, Australia’s most prestigious screen industry accolades.

“I am particularly proud of these productions made in NSW and supported by the NSW Government, especially Baz Luhrmann’s, The Great Gatsby, which dominated the film categories winning 13 awards.

“These are exciting times for NSW’s screen industry. Our film and television directors, producers, cast and crew have this week been acknowledged as the best in the country by their industry peers, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts,” Mr Souris said.

“These winning productions reflect the fact that our filmmakers are striding the international stage, with a diversity of locations, stories and styles. Many of these productions involve international collaborative partnerships, creating opportunities for NSW filmmakers to work with peers from around the world and for their work to be showcased globally.”

Also on the winner’s list was feature film, The Rocket, made in Laos by Sydney director, Kim Mordaunt and his producing partner, Sylvia Wilczynski, as well as the acclaimed Indigenous television series, Redfern Now – series 2, and Jane Campion’s television series, Top Of The Lake.

The NSW Government-funded short animation film, A Cautionary Tale, also won its award category for Best Short Animation.

“The NSW Government has a strong commitment to the State’s screen industry and is proud to support the AACTA Awards in NSW, the home of Australia’s screen industry and major events,” Mr Souris said.

“The AACTA Awards are recognised as part of the international cycle of film and television awards events including the BAFTAs, Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards.

“Last December, I announced a renewed partnership between the NSW Government and AACTA, which sees the AACTA Awards remain in NSW for the next three years from 2015 through to 2017. This renewed partnership is an important milestone for our screen industry and for NSW, as the AACTA Awards play a leading role in reinforcing Sydney’s position as the creative services capital of Australia and the creative hub of the Asia Pacific Region.

“The Government’s mix of development and production funding, and support for regional filmmaking, as well as its film attraction incentives and film friendly policies have ensured that NSW leads Australia in film and television production. This is reflected in the outstanding AACTA results.

“NSW is Australia’s undisputed film and television production hub and we’re determined to keep it that way. Recent Screen Australia figures show that 81 per cent of all Australian drama production in 2012-13 was generated by NSW-based production companies, and that 57 per cent of all Australian drama production took place in NSW.