Australian Academy lauds 'Artist'

"The Artist" needed top picture, actor and pointing honors within the first Australian Academy of Cinema and television Arts Intl. Honours Friday evening. Michel Hazanavicius was named best director within the inaugural ceremony, while "The Artist's" Jean Dujardin and "The Iron Lady's" Meryl Streep showed up the acting nods. Voters were tied on script honors, so honours visited both "Ides of March" and "Margin Call." AACTA prexy Geoffrey Hurry introduced the individuals who win in five groups within an intimate West Hollywood ceremony at Soho House. "As our industry becomes a really global entity, it's fitting the brand new Australian Academy recognizes the industry's best, health club abroad," Hurry mentioned. Despite the fact that Australian Film Institute remains around for more than one half-century, the academy was created last summer season just like a professional offshoot and patterned following a branch structure in the Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "We're wanting it's the beginning of a great tradition," mentioned AACTA Boss Damian Trewhella. Trewhella mentioned AACTA has between 1,500 and two,000 people which is searching to build up further. The crowd may also be searching ahead with a second developmental phase, including opening a place of work in La to market Australian productions inside the U.S. The AACTA Intl. Honours are created to recognition film excellence regardless of geography, as with different jury of Australian entertainment professionals. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com