HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 23, 2019 – The Australian film industry turned out in style for the 8^th Annual AiF Awards Gala and Benefit Dinner tonight at Intercontinental Century City.

The annual star-studded Awards Gala and Benefit Dinner celebrates the achievements of Australian entertainment professionals and supports the foundation’s mission to usher Australian filmmakers into the international market and provide educational and career development programs.

In an exciting new move, this year’s event also celebrated the official launch of the ‘Great Mate’ initiative, established by AiF and founding great mates Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and Monica Saunders-Weinberg and her husband Rich Weinberg. Together they are encouraging all successful Australian screen creatives to help support Australians in Film’s vital work in nurturing the next generation of Australian screen voices.

Celebrating Australia's impact on the entertainment industry, Vin Diesel presented Ruby Rose with the Create NSW Annette Kellerman Award. The xXx: The Return of Xander Cage co-stars formed a bond on the set of the high-octane action sequel.

“With Ruby, it’s such a deep, deep, deep love,” said Diesel. “It’s so evident she is a trailblazer, but who she is to me, to my family, to my daughter, transcends all of this Hollywood stuff. Ruby Rose is a part of my heart.” Diesel continued to tell the audience that Ruby entered his life during a tough time (referencing the late Paul Walker), and said, “Never in a million years could I have imagined that the hole in my heart would be filled by this actress.”

On receiving the Award, Rose said: “Thanks Australians in Film for having me. Sometimes I just need to be around Australians. It’s humbling and it’s grounding. This strange job can make you not feel grounded. When I’m in a room with a bunch of accents like mine, I feel at home.”

The Screen Australia Breakthrough Award, recognizing Australian screen talent who have had major international presence over the past year, was presented to Succession star Sarah Snook by actor Jason Clarke, to Hotel Mumbai director Anthony Maras by producer Al Ruddy and to Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery, who accepted his award via a video message that was played at the event.

On receiving the Award Snook said: “Knowing you have someone in your corner and someone behind you means so much in this industry. This Award feels like you have a country in your corner and thank you so much for this.”

AFI Award-winning director, producer and screenwriter Phillip Noyce (Rabbit-Proof Fence, The Giver) presented Australian director Rachel Perkins (Total Control, Mystery Road) with the inaugural Animal Logic Entertainment Illuminate Award, in recognition of her incredible body of work, calling her a “true national treasure”.

In front a standing ovation Perkins said: “I heard someone call Australians in Film the first creative embassy of Australia and I really liked that. They’re a home for people trying to make their way in the world.”

Warner Bros’ President Worldwide Physical Production, Bill Draper, received the Ausfilm International Award for his contribution to the Australian film industry, presented by Lynne Benzie, President of Village Roadshow Studios.

The final award of the evening was the Orry-Kelly Award, which was awarded to Naomi Watts. The two-time Academy Award nominee has garnered several accolades throughout her career including nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award and Golden Globe Award. She was recently seen in SHOWTIME’s® limited series The Loudest Voice alongside Russell Crowe and Sienna Miller and will next be seen in Penguin Bloom, alongside Andrew Lincoln and Jacki Weaver. Watts was presented the award by close friend and actor, Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers).

“Naomi you are the most phenomenal actress of our generation,” said Fisher. “We love you so much.”

“It was in Australia where I learned how to act,” said Watts. “Back then Hollywood was the only film mecca. There was no Australians in Film back then, no Aussie community. This summer, after three decades, I got the chance to shoot in Australia again - one of the more memorable moments of my career. I wouldn’t have made it this far without so many incredible people along the way. I still feel lucky for having a career this long. I never would have imagined this. Thank you to Australians in Film, I wish to the high heavens you had been around when I first got here.”

The fundraising event was hosted by Australian singer-songwriter, comedian, writer and actor, Eddie Perfect (Offspring, Beetlejuice).

The official social media hashtag for the evening is #AiFAwards. The official Twitter handle is @AustraliansFilm, the official Instagram handle is @AustraliansinFilm and the official Facebook page is at Facebook.com/AustraliansinFilm.

Australians in Film proudly acknowledges the wonderful support of the Title Sponsors of the 2019 AiF Awards: Ausfilm, Screen Australia and Create NSW. Gala supporting partners include Animal Logic Entertainment and Bird in Hand. Media partners Vogue and GQ Australia, together with Qantas, AiF's official airline and hotel partner, The Standard Hollywood. Beverage partners include Bird in Hand, Penfolds, Mr Black and Little Creatures.

 

Download images from the evening HERE

Download broadcast quality vision from the red carpet and speeches HERE

*Please allow time for video content to be exported to Dropbox link.

 

LIST OF ATTENDEES 

Honorees:

Naomi Watts (The Loudest Voice), Orry-Kelly Award

Ruby Rose (The CW’s Batwoman), Create NSW Annette Kellerman Award

Sarah Snook (HBO’s Succession), Screen Australia Breakthrough Award

Anthony Maras (Director, Hotel Mumbai), Screen Australia Breakthrough Award

Bill Draper (Warner Bros’ President Worldwide Physical Production), Ausfilm International Award

Rachel Perkins (Australian director), Animal Logic Entertainment Illuminate Award

 

Host: Eddie Perfect, Beetlejuice The Musical

 

Presenters:

Vin Diesel, Actor (Bloodshot) Jason Clarke, Actor (Catherine The Great) Al Ruddy, Producer (The Godfather) Phillip Noyce, Director/Producer (The Giver) Lynne Benzie, President, Village Roadshow Studios Isla Fisher, Actress (Wedding Crashers)

 

Special Guests:  Alexander England, Actor, Little Monsters Alison Bell, Co-Creator/Writer/Actress, The Let Down Alison McGirr, Actress Bruna Papandrea, Producer, Big Little Lies Charmaine Bingwa, 2018 Heath Ledger Scholarship Recipient Chelsey Martin, Australian Consul-General David Michôd, Writer/Director, The King Dion Beebe, Cinematographer, The Gemini Man Emma Cooper, Producer, Penguin Bloom Graeme Mason, CEO, Screen Australia Harriet Dyer, Actress, Love Child Jonathan LaPaglia, Host, Survivor (Australia) Kate Marks, CEO, Ausfilm Liv Hewson, Actor, Bombshell Luke Bracey, Actor, Danger Close Luke Davies, Screenwriter, Catch 22 Mirrah Foulkes, Writer/Director, Judy & Punch Mojean Aria, Actor, See Nick Hardcastle, Actor, Home & Away Sam Mostyn, Chairman, Ausfilm Sarah Scheller, Creator/Writer, The Letdown Tilda Cobham-Hervery, Actress, I Am Woman Trent O’Donnell, Director, The Good Place Unjoo Moon, Director, I Am Woman

For images, footage and any media enquiries-

Australian Media Contact:  Carly Cadogan – NIXCo: carly@nixco.com.au, +61 424 505 827

U.S. Media Contact: Megan Levy – The Lippin Group: megan@lippingroup.com, +1 (323) 801–7460