Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe swept the AACTA Awards on Friday, February 7, securing six wins and bringing its total tally for the week to 12.
The coming-of-age drama claimed Best Miniseries and Best Screenplay in Television for John Collee, while its cast dominated the acting categories. Felix Cameron won Best Lead Actor in a Drama, Phoebe Tonkin took Best Lead Actress in a Drama, with Lee Tiger Halley and Deborah Mailman winning Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively.
The series had already scooped six awards earlier in the week at Wednesday night’s AACTA Awards Industry Gala, also hosted at HOTA on the Gold Coast.
British pop icon Robbie Williams was in attendance as his biopic, Better Man, earned four AACTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Direction in Film for Michael Gracey. The film’s total haul climbed to nine awards.
Williams delivered a humorous acceptance speech, attributing the film’s existence to his personal struggles: “I would like to thank drugs, depression, anxiety, dyslexia, dyscalculia, insomnia, dyspraxia, a lack of self-awareness, a lack of self-worth, the fear of social interaction, body dysmorphia, addiction, alcoholism, and a lower-than-average-sized penis, without which none of this film would be possible.”
According to the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, this year’s awards marked a historic first with motion-capture performances and voice acting included in the acting categories. Jonno Davies was recognized for his portrayal of the motion-capture monkey in Better Man, while Damon Herriman added to his AACTA collection, winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film.
Williams made multiple appearances on stage, including a live performance of his classic hit Angels. Meanwhile, Paul Kelly performed How to Make Gravy, the theme song for the AACTA-nominated How to Make Gravy, the first original feature film from streaming platform Binge.
