Press release from AFI Awards
The AFI is delighted to announce that again in 2010 we will maintain six nominees instead of the traditional four for the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Award for Best Film, and the AFI Members’ Choice Award.
“In what is already being described as a watershed year for Australian film, maintaining the expansion of the number of nominees is in recognition of another impressive field of feature films in contention for the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards,” AFI CEO Damian Trewhella said.
2010 has been a remarkable year for Australian film with audiences supporting Australian productions. This year has seen a diverse and exciting range of quality films finding critical acclaim and commercial success at home and abroad.
Australian films have already taken more than $40 million at the domestic box office to date, proving that local audiences are increasingly interested in seeing Australian films.
Leading the box office charge is Tomorrow When The War Began which has taken nearly $9 million in its first few weeks and last summer’s breakout movie Bran Nue Dae with $7.6 million. Close behind is Animal Kingdom with over $4.8 million and Beneath Hill 60 with $3.2 million respectively. Bright Star, The Boys Are Back, I Love You Too and Daybreakers have all taken more than $2 million.
“What’s really encouraging is a number of films in competition this year are already blazing trails internationally and generating a global box office exceeding $100 million. The Boys Are Back, Bright Star, The Tree and Animal Kingdom have all had solid international releases and Daybreakers is at the head of the pack with more than US$50m worldwide. Among a range of films set for international release, Bran Nue Dae is soon to open in North American cinemas,” Damian Trewhella said.
Meanwhile there have been a number of films which have stirred and engaged audiences including Matching Jack, The Waiting City, Accidents Happen, Lou, The Horseman, Subdivision and Motherfish.
With such a dynamic line-up, this year’s AFI Awards promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years. Official voting is now open for AFI members for the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards. Voting closes at 5pm October 6.
The nominees for the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards will be revealed at the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards Nominations Announcement at Sydney Theatre, Walsh Bay on October 27.