Overview

The 3rd AACTA Awards were celebrated across two major events in Sydney in January 2014:

• The 3rd AACTA Awards Industry Luncheon was hosted by Patrick Brammall on Tuesday 28 January at The Star Event Centre in Sydney
• The 3rd AACTA Awards Ceremony was hosted by actor and comedian Shane Bourne on Thursday 30 January at The Star Event Centre in Sydney

A total of 44 AACTA Awards were presented across the two events, recognising the talent and innovation of practitioners working across television, documentary, short film and feature film categories.

THE GREAT GATSBY dominated the feature film category, winning 12 Awards from their 14 nominations, including: Best Film, Best Director (Baz Luhrmann), Best Lead Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. The film went on to win the Oscar® and BAFTA Awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

THE ROCKET and THE TURNING were the other two feature films recognised, receiving the AACTA Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Lead Actress (Rose Byrne) respectively.

Winners in the television categories were diverse, with the 19 Awards spread across 13 productions. TOP OF THE LAKE and POWER GAMES: THE PACKER-MURDOCH STORY both took home three Awards, closely followed by REDFERN NOW and OFFSPRING, both walking away with two Awards. 

Jacki Weaver, one of Australia's most loved and respected actors, was honoured with the AACTA Raymond Longford Award - the highest recognition the Australian Academy can bestow on an individual.