Actor and comedian Shane Bourne will host this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTAs), broadcast in a 90-minute presentation on Thursday, January 30, at 8.30pm on Network Ten.
Bourne will lead the night of peer-voted awards, live performances and special appearances from personalities across the Australian television and film industry.
AFI | AACTA CEO, Damian Trewhella, said “We are delighted Shane will host the 3rd AACTA Awards Ceremony. Shane is an AFI Award winner and audience favourite, and a well loved and respected member of the screen industry.”
Bourne said, “I am really looking forward to being involved in the 3rd AACTA Awards and providing the social lubricant to help ensure a great night for all as we celebrate the year’s achievements in television and film. And if the official after party is just a fraction as good as the scenes from The Great Gatsby then we're in for a night to remember.”
Ten’s broadcast will begin from the red carpet, with Wake Up’s Natarsha Belling and James Mathison covering the fashions and chatting to stars as they make their way in.
AACTA president Geoffrey Rush and Blue Jasmine Golden Globe winner Cate Blanchett will attend as well as Ita Buttrose, Claudia Karvan, John Waters, Kat Stewart and Lachy Hulme.
In contention for best film are The Great Gatsby, The Rocket, Dead Europe, Mystery Road, Satellite Boy and Tim Winton’s The Turning.
In TV categories the nominees include Offspring, MasterChef: The Professionals, Top Of The Lake, Mrs Biggs and Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story.
The AACTA Raymond Longford Award, the highest honour that the Australian Academy can bestow upon an individual, recognising a person who has made a truly outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia’s screen culture, will be presented on the night.
Patrick Brammall, star of Upper Middle Bogan and A Moody Christmas, will host the industry’s 3rd AACTA Awards Luncheon presented by Deluxe on Tuesday 28 January. This event presents 22 awards focusing predominately on the talents of those who work behind the camera, including best costume design and cinematography.