2025 AACTA Domestic Nominations: 'Better Man' & 'Furiosa' Lead

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2025-10-20

2025 AACTA Domestic Nominations: 'Better Man' & 'Furiosa' Lead

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has once again made waves with its domestic nominations for the 2025 AACTA Awards. Returning to the Gold Coast in February, these awards celebrate the remarkable achievements in Australian film, television, documentary, and online content. Robbie Williams-inspired "Better Man" leads the pack with a record-breaking 16 nominations, closely followed by George Miller's "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" and BINGE's "How to Make Gravy" with 15 nominations each. Horror favorite "Late Night with the Devil" secures 14 nominations, while the animated gem "Memoir of a Snail" lands 11 nominations. Rounding out the Best Film category is "Runt" with four nominations. In television, "Boy Swallows Universe" dominates with 22 nominations, including Best Miniseries and eight acting nominations. Dylan River's "Thou Shalt Not Steal" follows with nine nods, and "Colin From Accounts" and "The Artful Dodger" earn eight nominations each. This year, motion capture performances and voice acting have been included in the Acting categories for the first time. Jonno Davies earns a nod for his portrayal of a motion-capture monkey in "Better Man", while performances by Jacki Weaver, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Sarah Snook in "Memoir of a Snail" highlight the skill and artform of voice acting. Comedy and horror continue to be Australia's global calling cards, with "Late Night with the Devil" standing tall with 14 nominations and comedy hits like "Colin From Accounts", "Fisk", and "The Office Australia" showcasing the international appeal of Australian wit and humor. Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney emphasizes the depth of talent and diversity of storytelling across Australia's screen sector. The nominees were determined by AACTA Members, and Round Two voting opens today. The winners will be announced across two ceremonies - the AACTA Awards Industry Gala on Wednesday, February 5, and the AACTA Award Ceremony on Friday, February 7, both at HOTA, Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast. The 2025 AACTA Awards ceremonies form part of the AACTA Festival, which runs for five days, February 5 - 9, offering a wide range of activities celebrating film, television, and pop culture. Festival goers can enjoy meet the nominee events, in-depth movie deconstructions, interactive workshops, meet-and-greets, music showcases, masterclasses with renowned filmmakers, outdoor screenings, and family-friendly activities. An expanded Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills also makes its return.

Key Highlights of the 2025 AACTA Awards

In the film categories, "Better Man" stands out with its extensive nominations across various aspects. Michael Gracey's direction in "Better Man" is highly regarded, as is the screenplay by Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, and Michael Gracey. Laura Gordon, Sarah Snook, Jackie van Beek, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anna Torv, and Phoebe Tonkin shine in the lead actress category, while Eric Bana, David Dastmalchian, Jonno Davies, Daniel Henshall, Guy Pearce, and Kodi Smit-McPhee lead the pack in the lead actor category. The supporting actress and actor categories also feature a talented lineup, with Alyla Browne, Hannah Diviney, Kate Mulvany, Fayssal Bazzi, Chris Hemsworth, and Damon Herriman among the nominees. The cinematography in films is diverse, with Erik A. Wilson, Matt Toll, Ashley Wallen, Andrew Commis, Simon Duggan, and Gerald Thompson making their mark. In television, "Boy Swallows Universe" takes center stage with its numerous nominations in different categories. Asher Keddie, Deborah Mailman, Leah Purcell, Anna Torv, and Phoebe Tonkin are among the nominees for Best Lead Actress in a Drama presented by BINGE, while Zac Burgess, Felix Cameron, Rob Collins, Brendan Cowell, Sam Neill, and Noah Taylor lead the way in the Best Lead Actor in a Drama presented by BINGE category. The comedy performances are equally impressive, with Patrick Brammall, Aaron Chen, Harriet Dyer, Kitty Flanagan, Genevieve Hegney, and Asher Keddie standing out. The awards also recognize excellence in original songs, with "Dream On" and "Fine" from "How To Make Gravy" and "Forbidden Road" from "Better Man" among the nominees. In the documentary category, a diverse range of films like "A Horse Named Winx", "Every Little Thing", and "Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line" showcase the depth and variety of Australian documentaries. The indie film category features unique and thought-provoking works such as "Before Dawn", "Birdeater", and "Christmess". The awards cover various aspects of production, including best cinematography in television, best editing in film and television, best original score in film and television, best production design in film and television, best costume design in film and television, best sound in film and television, best casting in film and television, and best hair and makeup. The nonfiction television categories also highlight exceptional work, with Anne Edmonds: Why Is My Bag All Wet?, "Muster Dogs", and "Stuff The British Stole" among the nominees. The visual effects and animation category showcases the cutting-edge work in these fields, with "Alien: Romulus", "Better Man", "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga", and "Transformers One" impressing.

Film Categories

"Better Man" truly shines in the film categories, with its nominations spanning direction, screenplay, acting, and more. Michael Gracey's directorial vision brings the story to life, while the screenplay by Simon Gleeson et al. captivates audiences. The lead actors give powerful performances, and the supporting actors add depth to the films. The cinematography in these films is a visual treat, with different styles and techniques enhancing the storytelling.

Television Categories

"Boy Swallows Universe" dominates the television categories, with its extensive nominations in drama, miniseries, and more. The performances in these television productions are outstanding, with actors bringing their characters to life. The different series offer a diverse range of storytelling, from drama to comedy.

Documentary and Nonfiction Categories

The documentary and nonfiction categories showcase the rich tapestry of Australian storytelling. From "A Horse Named Winx" to "Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line", these films explore various themes and topics. The nonfiction television categories also feature exceptional work, highlighting the importance of these forms of storytelling.

Production and Technical Categories

The awards in production and technical categories recognize the hard work and creativity behind the scenes. From best cinematography to best sound, these categories celebrate the technical aspects that enhance the viewing experience. The costume design and production design categories add another layer of visual appeal to the films and television productions.