Fed: Black Balloon wins best film at AFI Awards
He was also the recipient of the Byron Kennedy Award, which is presented for outstanding creative enterprise within the film or television industry.07 Dec 2008 12:01 AM
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MELBOURNE, Dec 7 AAP - The Black Balloon has been crowned the best film of 2008 at the AFI Awards, while gangland series Underbelly made a killing in the television categories.
The stars of the Australian film and television industry, including Eric Bana, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Vince Colosimo, turned out in Melbourne on Saturday to celebrate the best screen productions of the year.
Carrying the most nominations heading into the AFI Awards, The Black Balloon had been weighed down by expectation after winning just one out of 10 awards at the recent Inside Film (IF) Awards.
But it emerged triumphant, claiming a total of six awards, including the prestigious best film gong.
The comedy/drama about a family coping with an autistic son also picked up awards for best direction, best original screenplay and best direction for Elissa Down.
Toni Collette was named the best supporting actress, while co-star Luke Ford, who received rave reviews for his portrayal of an autistic teenager, took out the best actor award.
Down said Ford didn't even think he would be nominated for an AFI Award this year.
"He said: 'I'm not going to get nominated' and I said: 'Luke Ford are you insane? I bet you $100 you get nominated'," Down told AAP.
"When the nominations came out I texted him and said you owe me $100.
"He said I know, I always pay up on my debts."
The stars of Unfinished Sky, William McInnes and Monic Hendrickx, were winners in the best lead actor and actress category, while the romance thriller was also declared the best adapted screenplay.
Heath Ledger was posthumously awarded the international award for best actor for his chilling portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight.
Cate Blanchett, who is in Los Angeles for the unveiling of her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, took out the female equivalent for Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
In the television categories the night belonged to crime drama Underbelly.
It won six of the eight awards it was nominated for, including best television drama series and best direction in television.
Gyton Grantley picked up the trophy for best lead actor in a television drama for his portray of killer Carl Williams, while Kat Stewart won best lead actress for playing his wife Roberta.
Damian Walshe-Howling and Madeleine West also received the best supporting actor and actress awards for their work in the Nine Network series.
Summer Heights High was named our best television comedy series, while creator and star Chris Lilley nabbed the gong for best performance in a television comedy.
The AFI Awards, which are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, were hosted by Stephen Curry who announced The Castle had been voted Australia's favourite film of all time, and Hugh Jackman our top film star.
