Australia's Screen Industry Shines: Aacta Nominations Unveiled with Record-Breaking Talents

In a remarkable display of talent and creativity, the 2025 Aacta award nominations have been unveiled, with the Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton's beloved novel, Boy Swallows Universe, leading the charge with a staggering 22 nominations. This achievement sets a new benchmark, marking the most nominations ever received by a single production in the history of Australia's screen industry awards. Following closely is the highly anticipated biopic Better Man, chronicling Robbie Williams' extraordinary rise to fame, which has garnered 16 nominations, making waves in the film categories. Better Man, directed by Michael Gracey, known for his work on The Greatest Showman, tells the story of Williams' ascent from a modest working-class background to global superstardom. The film uniquely features the pop icon portrayed by a CGI monkey. With its production primarily based in Melbourne, it demonstrates a strong commitment to Australia's creative talent, and is set to be released in cinemas across Australia and the UK on Boxing Day. The competition remains fierce, as other notable entries vie for recognition. George Miller's highly anticipated Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Binge's How to Make Gravy, which draws inspiration from the Paul Kelly song, each secured 15 nominations. Meanwhile, the indie horror sensation Late Night with the Devil, crafted by Australian siblings Colin and Cameron Cairnes, earned 14 nominations. This marks a continued trend of success for low-budget Australian horror, following the acclaim of last year's Talk To Me. In addition to Better Man, the film category showcases an array of diverse stories, with Adam Elliot's claymation Memoir of a Snail picking up 11 nominations, and the family-friendly adaptation Runt, based on Craig Silvey’s children’s book, gathering four nominations. On the television front, Boy Swallows Universe shines brightly, capturing eight acting nominations. Breakout talents Felix Cameron and Zac Burgess are recognized in the best lead actor in a drama category, where they face off against seasoned actors including Sam Neill and Noah Taylor. The series has also dominated the best supporting actor category, with four of its stars—Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, and Lee Tiger Halley—earning spots among the nominees. Female talent from Boy Swallows Universe is also well represented, with Phoebe Tonkin nominated for best lead actress and Deborah Mailman recognized for both best supporting actress and her performance in Total Control. In a notable first, the Aactas will recognize voice and motion-capture performances, with Sarah Snook and Kodi Smit-McPhee nominated for their roles in Memoir of a Snail. Jonno Davies joins them in the nominations, playing the CGI monkey version of Robbie Williams in Better Man. The race for best lead actress is competitive, featuring names such as Anya Taylor-Joy and Anna Torv, while the best lead actor category includes heavyweights like Guy Pearce and Eric Bana. A unique twist this year sees actors Damon Herriman and Kate Mulvany competing against themselves in the supporting categories for their respective performances in Better Man and How to Make Gravy. The Aactas, previously known as the AFI awards, encompass a wide array of categories, celebrating excellence across film, television, entertainment, lifestyle, and factual programming. The industry awards ceremony is scheduled for February 5, with the major event taking place on February 7 on the Gold Coast, as part of a five-day Aacta festival. With such impressive nominations reflecting a vibrant Australian screen industry, anticipation builds as filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike look forward to the celebrations and recognition of outstanding talent in the coming months.