# 8th AACTA Awards

The 8th Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (generally known as the AACTA Awards) is an awards ceremony to celebrate Australian films of 2018. The industry awards were presented on 3 December 2018, with the main awards following on 5 December. The main ceremony was televised on Seven Network.

## Feature film

| Best Film Sweet Country – David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin Boy Erased – Joel Edgerton, Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky Roberts Breath – Simon Baker, Jamie Hilton, Mark Johnson Cargo – Russell Ackerman, Kristina Ceyton, Samantha Jennings, Mark Patterson Ladies in Black – Sue Milliken, Allanah Zitserman | Best Direction Warwick Thornton – Sweet Country Joel Edgerton – Boy Erased Simon Baker – Breath Bruce Beresford – Ladies in Black |
| Best Original Screenplay Steven McGregor, David Tranter – Sweet Country Matt Nable – 1% Jaime Browne – Brothers' Nest Leigh Whannell – Upgrade | Best Adapted Screenplay Joel Edgerton – Boy Erased, based on the book Boy Erased: A Memoir by Garrard Conley Simon Baker, Gerard Lee, Tim Winton – Breath, based on the novel Breath by Tim Winton Yolanda Ramke – Cargo, based on the short film of the same name by Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke Bruce Beresford, Sue Milliken – Ladies in Black, based on the novel The Women in Black by Madeleine St John |
| Best Lead Actor Hamilton Morris as Sam Kelly – Sweet Country Ryan Corr as Vice President Paddo – 1% Lucas Hedges as Jared Eamons – Boy Erased Damian Hill as Jimmy – West of Sunshine Daniel Monks as Olly – Pulse | Best Lead Actress Angourie Rice as Lisa – Ladies in Black Abbey Lee as Katrina – 1% Rooney Mara as Mary Magdalene – Mary Magdalene Kate Mulvany as Angie Barlow – The Merger Julia Ormond as Magda – Ladies in Black |
| Best Supporting Actor Simon Baker as Sando – Breath Fayssal Bazzi as Sayyid – The Merger Russell Crowe as Marshall Eamons – Boy Erased Joel Edgerton as Victor Sykes – Boy Erased Josh McConville as Skink – 1% | Best Supporting Actress Nicole Kidman as Nancy Eamons – Boy Erased Elizabeth Debicki as Eva – Breath Natassia Gorey-Furber as Lizzie Kelly – Sweet Country Noni Hazlehurst as Miss Cartwright – Ladies in Black Simone Kessell as Hayley – 1% |
| Best Cinematography Warwick Thornton – Sweet Country Marden Dean, Rick Rifici – Breath Peter James – Ladies in Black Thom Neal – West of Sunshine | Best Editing Nick Meyers – Sweet Country Dany Cooper – Breath Mark Warner – Ladies in Black Andy Canny – Upgrade |
| Best Original Music Score Christopher Gordon – Ladies in Black Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson – Mary Magdalene Dominic Lewis – Peter Rabbit Jed Palmer – Upgrade | Best Sound Jed Dodge, Trevor Hope, Robert Mackenzie, Tara Webb – Breath Liam Egan, Leah Katz, Des Kenneally, Robert Sullivan – Cargo Sam Gain-Emery, Thom Kellar, Will Sheridan, David Tranter – Sweet Country Will Files, P.K. Hooker, Andrew Ramage – Upgrade |
| Best Production Design Roger Ford, Lisa Thompson – Peter Rabbit Jo Ford – Cargo Felicity Abbott, Katie Sharrock – Upgrade Vanessa Cerne, Matthew Putland – Winchester | Best Costume Design Wendy Cork – Ladies in Black Jacqueline Durran – Mary Magdalene Heather Wallace – Sweet Country Wendy Cork – Winchester |
| Best Hair and Makeup Ladies in Black — Jen Lamphee, Anna Gray, Beth Halsted Cargo — Larry Van Duynhoven, Beverley Freeman, Helen Magelaki Upgrade — Chiara Tripodi, Larry Van Duynhoven Winchester — Tess Natoli, Steve Boyle | Best Casting Riot — Allison Meadows Breath — Nikki Barrett Friday On My Mind — Leigh Pickford Sweet Country — Anousha Zarkesh |
| Best Visual Effects or Animation Peter Rabbit — Will Reichelt, Simon Whiteley, Simon Pickard, Peter Stubbs, Jason Bath, Brian Lynch, Matt Middleton Black Panther — Brendan Seals, Michael Perdew, Andrew Zink, Raphael A. Pimentel The Lego Ninjago Movie — Fiona Chilton, Kim Taylor, Simon Whiteley, Matt Everitt, Gregory Jowle Upgrade — Jonathan Dearing, Matt Daly, Angelo Sahin, Kate Bernauer, Aevar Bjarnason ||
* Best Indie Film
* Jirga – Benjamin Gilmour (dir.), John Maynard
* Brothers' Nest – Clayton Jacobson (dir.), Jason Byrne
* The Second – Mairi Cameron (dir.), Stephen Lance, Leanne Tonkes
* Strange Colours – Alena Lodkina (dir.), Kate Laurie, Isaac Wall
* West of Sunshine – Jason Raftopoulos (dir.), Alexandros Ouzas

## Television

| Best Drama Series Mystery Road – David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin Jack Irish – Ian Collie, Matt Cameron, Andrew Knight Mr Inbetween – Michele Bennett Rake – Ian Collie, Peter Duncan, Richard Roxburgh Wentworth – Jo Porter, Pino Amenta | Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series Riot – Joanna Werner, Louise Smith Dead Lucky – Ellie Beaumont, Drew Proffitt, Diane Haddon Friday On My Mind – David Taylor, David Maher, Diane Haddon, Christopher Lee Picnic at Hanging Rock – Jo Porter, Brett Popplewell Safe Harbour – Stephen Corvini, Debbie Lee |
| Best Comedy Series The Letdown – Julian Morrow, Sarah Scheller, Alison Bell Black Comedy – Kath Shelper, Mark O'Toole Nanette – Kevin Whyte, Kathleen McCarthy, Frank Bruzzese Rosehaven – Andrew Walker, Kevin Whyte, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor True Story with Hamish & Andy – Tim Bartley, Andy Lee, Ryan Shelton, Andrew Walker | Best Entertainment Program The Weekly with Charlie Pickering – Ellie Beaumont, Drew Proffitt, Diane Haddon Gogglebox Australia – David McDonald, Kerrie Kerr Hard Quiz – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Charlie Pickering, Tom Gleeson Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery – Damian Davis, Polly Connolly, Nick Murray, Julia Zemiro Little Big Shots – Karen Greene |
| Best Lifestyle Program Selling Houses Australia – Geoff Fitzpatrick, Duane Hatherly, Sonia Harding Better Homes and Gardens – Russell Palmer, Rani Eaton The Checkout – Julian Morrow, Nick Murray, Rebecca Annetts Food Safari Water – Toufic Charabati, Georgina Neal, Jacinta Dunn The Great Australian Bake Off – Nicole Rogers, David Briegel-Jones | Best Reality Series Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders – Amelia Fisk, Georgina Hinds, Adam Fergusson MasterChef Australia – Marty Benson, Tim Toni, Adam Fergusson My Kitchen Rules – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Charlie Pickering, Tom Gleeson The Real Housewives of Melbourne – Kylie Washington, Lisa Potasz, Natalie Brosnan, Pip Rubira The Single Wives – Paul Franklin, Chris Culvenor |
| Best Children's Series The Bureau of Magical Things – Jonathan M. Shiff, Stuart Wood Grace Beside Me – Lois Randall, Dena Curtis Guess How Much I Love You – Suzanne Ryan My Year 7 Life – Laura Waters, Emma Fitzsimons, Karla Burt The New Legends of Monkey – Rachel Gardner, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Robin Scholes | Best Screenplay in Television Safe Harbour - Episode 1 – Belinda Chayko Mr Inbetween - Episode 2: Unicorns Know Everybody's Name – Scott Ryan Mystery Road - Episode 5: The Waterhole – Timothy Lee, Kodie Bedford, Steven McGregor, Michaeley O’Brien Riot – Greg Waters |
| Best Lead Actor – Drama Damon Herriman – Riot Aaron Pedersen – Mystery Road Richard Roxburgh – Rake Scott Ryan – Mr Inbetween Hazem Shammas – Safe Harbour | Best Lead Actress – Drama Kate Box – Riot Tina Bursill – Doctor Doctor Judy Davis – Mystery Road Leah Purcell – Wentworth Leeanna Walsman – Safe Harbour |
| Best Guest or Supporting Actor – Drama Wayne Blair – Mystery Road Damien Garvey – Rake Xavier Samuel – Riot Dan Wyllie – Romper Stomper Ashley Zukerman – Friday On My Mind | Best Guest or Supporting Actress – Drama Deborah Mailman – Mystery Road Caroline Brazier – Rake Nicole Chamoun – Safe Harbour Celia Ireland – Wentworth Tasma Walton – Mystery Road |
| Best Television Direction Glendyn Ivin – Safe Harbour - Episode 1 Nash Edgerton – Mr Inbetween - Episode 2: Unicorns Know Everybody's Name Rachel Perkins – Mystery Road - Episode 4: Silence Jeffrey Walker – Riot | Best Non-Fiction Television Direction Bruce Permezel – Hawke: The Larrikin and the Leader - Episode 1: The Apprenticeship Larissa Behrendt – After The Apology David Batty – Black As Aaron Smith, Kirk Docker – You Can't Ask That - Episode 1: Survivors of Sexual Assault |
| Best Cinematography in Television Garry Phillips – Picnic at Hanging Rock - Episode 1 Henry Pierce – A Place to Call Home - Episode 1: For Better or Worse Mark Wareham – Mystery Road - Episode 4: Silence Sam Chiplin – Safe Harbour - Episode 1 | Best Editing in Television Deborah Peart – Mystery Road - Episode 5: The Waterhole Mark Perry – Friday On My Mind - Part 1 Geoff Hitchins – Picnic at Hanging Rock - Episode 1 Geoffrey Lamb – Riot |
| Best Sound in Television Greg Burgmann, Frank Lipson, Andrew McGrath – Romper Stomper - Episode 3: Poetry Luke Mynott, Wes Chew, Ben Osmo, Cihan Saral – Friday On My Mind - Part 1 Andrew Neil, Paul Pirola, Frank Lipson, Ann Aucote – Picnic at Hanging Rock - Episode 1 Paul 'Salty' Brincat, Paul Pirola, Andrew Neil – Safe Harbour - Episode 1 | Best Original Music Score in Television Antony Partos, Matteo Zingales – Mystery Road - Episode 4: Silence Cezary Skubiszewski – Picnic at Hanging Rock - Episode 1 David Hirschfelder – Riot Richard Pike – Romper Stomper |
| Best Production Design in Television Jo Ford – Picnic at Hanging Rock - Episode 1 Fiona Donovan – A Place to Call Home - Episode 1: For Better or Worse Tim Ferrier, Nancy Dentice – Friday On My Mind - Part 1 Pete Baxter – Riot | Best Costume Design in Television Edie Kurzer – Picnic at Hanging Rock - Episode 1 Lisa Meagher – A Place to Call Home - Episode 1: For Better or Worse Liz McGregor – The New Legends of Monkey - Episode 1 Xanthe Heubel – Riot |
| Best Performance in a Television Comedy Hannah Gadsby – Nanette Alison Bell – The Letdown Wayne Hope – Back in Very Small Business Robyn Nevin – Back in Very Small Business Celia Pacquola – Rosehaven | Subscription Television Award for Best New Talent Scott Ryan – Mr Inbetween Inez Currò – Picnic at Hanging Rock Markella Kavenagh – Romper Stomper Nick Riewoldt – AFL 360 Chika Yasumura – Mr Inbetween |
| Subscription Television Award for Best Male Presenter Andrew Winter – Love It or List It Australia, Selling Houses Australia Matty Johns – Sunday Night with Matty Johns, The Late Show with Matty Johns Matt Moran – The Great Australian Bake Off Neale Whitaker – Love It or List It Australia Matt Wright – Outback Wrangler | Subscription Television Award for Best Female Presenter Shaynna Blaze – Selling Houses Australia Mel Buttle – The Great Australian Bake Off Margaret Pomeranz – Screen Yvonne Sampson – League Life, Big League Wrap, Thursday Night Footy, Super Saturday Ashleigh Wells – Hanging with Weekend Hangout |
| Subscription Television Award for Best Live Event Production Sky News Leadership Spill – David Speers, Kieran Gilbert, Laura Jayes Bathurst 2017 – James Harrison CMC Music Awards 2018 – Duane Hatherly Jeff Horn vs Gary Corcoran: WBO Welterweight Title Fight – Matt Weiss | Subscription Television Award for Best Sports Presentation Finals Footy on Fox: Richmond vs Collingwood – Ben Roberts, Zach Larkins, Leigh Carlson, Michael Neill AFL 360 – Tim Hodges, Tom Dullard, Sam Daddo League Life – Michael Sullivan Sunday Night with Matty Johns – Ben Churchill |

## Documentary

| Best Feature Length Documentary Gurrumul – Paul Damien Williams, Shannon Swan Ghosthunter – Ben Lawrence, Rebecca Bennett Jill Bilcock: Dancing The Invisible – Axel Grigor, Faramarz K-Rahber Mountain – Jennifer Peedom, Jo-anne McGowan Working Class Boy – Mark Joffe, Matt Campbell, Andrew Farrell, Michael Cordell | Best Documentary Television Program Employable Me – Karina Holden, Sue Clothier, Jenni Wilks After the Apology – Michaela Perske (writer/producer), Larissa Behrendt (director) Hawke: The Larrikin and the Leader – Laurie Critchley, Geraldine McKenna, Jo Cadman The Queen & Zak Grieve – Nial Fulton, Ivan O'Mahoney, Dan Box You Can't Ask That – Kirk Docker, Aaron Smith, Lou Porter |
| Best Editing in a Documentary Karen Johnson – Ghosthunter Shannon Swan, Ken Sallows – Gurrumul Johanna Scott – Have You Seen The Listers? Christian Gazal, Scott Gray – Mountain | Best Cinematography in a Documentary Renan Ozturk – Mountain Hugh Miller – Ghosthunter Dan Maxwell, Katie Milwright, Matt Toll, Gavin Head – Gurrumul Michael Latham – Island of the Hungry Ghosts |
| Best Original Music Score in a Documentary Richard Tognetti – Mountain Caitlin Yeo – After The Apology Rafael May – Ghosthunter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Erkki Veltheim, Michael Hohnen, Matthew Cunliffe – Gurrumul | Best Sound in a Documentary David White, Robert Mackenzie – Mountain Pip Atherstone-Reid, Simon Rosenberg – Gurrumul Leo Dolgan – Island of the Hungry Ghosts Greg Fitzgerald, Mario Gabrieli, Lucinda Clutterbuck, Daniel Scharf – Midnight Oil: 1984 |

## Short form

| Best Short Fiction Film All These Creatures – Charles Williams, Elise Trenorden Judas Collar – Alison James, Brooke Silcox Nursery Rhymes – Tom Noakes, Lucy Gaffy, Morgan Benson-Taylor, Will Goodfellow Tangles and Knots – Renée Marie Petropoulos, Yingna Lu | Best Short Animation Lost and Found – Lucy Hayes, Andrew Goldsmith, Bradley Slabe IRONY – Radheya Jegatheva Monster's Playground – Seamus Spilsbury, Darcy Prendergast, Christina Remnant Peepin’ – Haein Kim, Paul Rhodes |
| Best Online Video or Series Deadlock – Fiona Eagger, Deb Cox, Belinda Mravicic, Billie Pleffer BC Explained – Carl J Sorheim, David Gannon, Troy Larkin Homecoming Queens – Michelle Law, Chloe Reeson, Corrie Chen, Katia Nizic Kiki and Kitty – Liz Watts, Sylvia Warmer, Nakkiah Lui, Catriona McKenzie Small Town Hackers – Lauren Elliott, Matt Lovkis, Henry Inglis ||

## Additional awards

* Best Asian Film
* Dying to Survive — Wang Yibing, Liu Ruifang
* 1987: When the Day Comes — Jung Won-chan
* The Bold, The Corrupt and The Beautiful — Weijan Liu
* Gali Guleiyan — Shuchi Jain, Dipesh Jain
* Newton — Manish Mundra, Aanand L. Rai, Sunil Lulla
* Sanju — Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra
* Shoplifters — Matsuzaki Kaoru, Yose Akihiko, Taguchi Hijiri
* Tombiruo: Penunggu Rimba — Zainir Aminullah, Imillya Roslan, Najwa Abu Bakar, Firdaus Hussamuddin
* Youth — Wang Zhonglei, Wang Zhongjun, Gong Yu, Song Ge

## Individual awards

| The Longford Lyell Award Bryan Brown | The Byron Kennedy Award Ian Darling |