Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris, has congratulated the winners of the second Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards last night, which were dominated by films and television programs produced in NSW.
1 February 2013“This wonderful movie has received world acclaim. It was filmed in Sydney and Albury with development finance, production investment and a Regional Filming Fund Grant from the NSW Government, through Screen NSW”. Mr Souris said he was delighted to see the State’s world-class creative talent and screen productions recognised at Australia’s premier film and television awards. “The AACTA Awards shine a spotlight on the best of Australia’s film and television industry and I am pleased to see a number of film and television productions supported by the NSW Government receive AACTA Awards (see full list below).
“This is the second year Sydney has hosted and produced the AACTA Awards, which the NSW Government is proud to support through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. “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.
“The AACTA Awards program also features the AACTA International Awards, which took place in Los Angeles on Saturday and recognise international excellence across five categories, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress.
“Our investment in the 2013 AACTA Awards and the staging of them in Sydney re-affirms the NSW Government’s commitment to the NSW screen and creative industries and further strengthens Sydney’s position as the creative and major events capital of Australia.
“The AACTAs join other key creative industries events taking place in Australia’s premier tourism and major events city this year, including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Film Festival, Vivid Sydney and the ARIA Awards”.
Mr Souris pointed out that 37 per cent of Australia’s creative industries are based in NSW, with more than 170,000 people across the State directly employed in this sector.
“NSW is home to the country’s most extensive screen infrastructure, last year generating $538 million of economic benefit and 79 per cent of all film and television drama production in Australia.
“More than $315 million was spent on productions filmed here in NSW in 2011-12, including The Sapphires and Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and television series such as Puberty Blues, Tricky Business, Underbelly: Badness, Packed to the Rafters series 5 and Rake series 2.
“The NSW Government recognises the significant economic benefits of a thriving screen industry with major film projects generating employment and business opportunities.”
NSW Government-supported films and television programs recognised at the 2nd AACTA Awards include:
The Sapphires (12 Awards)
Lore (1 Award) Wish You Were Here (2 Awards)
Puberty Blues (1 Award)
Redfern Now (2 Awards)
Not Suitable For Children (1 Award)
A Moody Christmas (1 Award)
Once Upon A Time In Cabramatta (1 Award) Go Back To Where You Came From (1 Award) Storm Surfers 3D (1 Award)
Rake - Season 2 (1 Award)
The Adventures of Figaro Pho (1 Award)
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