“Gravity,” “American Hustle” win top prizes at Australian Academy Awards

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) announced the winners of their third AACTA Intl. Awards Jan. 10 at a ceremony in Los Angeles, with “Gravity” and “American Hustle” each winning two gongs, Variety reported.

The awards recognize cinematic excellence in seven categories: best film, director, screenplay, actor, actress, supporting actor and supporting actress.

The ceremony was hosted by AACTA president Geoffrey Rush, who shared the stage with fellow Australian presenters including Jacki Weaver, Stuart Beattie, Anthony LaPaglia and Yvonne Strahovski.

“Gravity” won best picture, with director Alfonos Cuaron taking the director trophy, while “American Hustle” won for Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell’s screenplay, and Jennifer Lawrence’s supporting actress role.

Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” triumphed in the actor categories, with Chiwetel Ejiofor nabbing the actor gong and Michael Fassbender winning the supporting actor honor.

Australian Cate Blanchett recieved the actress award for her portrayal of a New York socialite whose world — and mind — collapse after her husband’s financial crimes leave her penniless in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine.”

“The AACTA Intl. Awards are Australia’s international stamp of screen success,” said Rush. “They recognise our international counterparts, add an Australian voice to international Academy discussion, and celebrate our fellow Australians working internationally.

“I congratulate this year’s AACTA Intl. Award nominees and winners on their compelling and inspiring work and as always I look forward with anticipation to see if our international peers have concurred with the AACTA Intl. Chapter in this year’s Awards season selection.’