October 28, 2009 
source: afi.org.au
A great year in local cinema has being capped by the announcement of the 2009 Australian Film Institute Award nominees. Let us know in the comments what flicks you tip for victory!
Robert Connelly‘s Balibo, which told the story of the 1975 murder of six Australian journalists killed in East Timor led the pack with 14 nominations. Warwick Thornton‘s Cannes-victor Samson and Delilah followed close behind with 13 nominations. Both will compete for Best Film against Beautiful Kate, Blessed, Mao’s Last Dancer and Mary and Max.
Baz Luhrmann‘s Australia, the most financially successful Australian film of the past year, grabbed seven nominations, but was excluded from most major categories.
Balibo
Beautiful Kate
Blessed
Mao’s Last Dancer
Mary and Max
Samson and Delilah
AFI Member’s Choice Award
Australia
Balibo
Beautiful Kate
Mao’s Last Dancer
Mary and Max
Samson and Delilah
Best Director
Robert Connelly – Balibo
Rachel Ward – Beautiful Kate
Bruce Beresford – Mao’s Last Dancer
Warwick Thornton – Samson and Delilah
Best Actor
Anthony LaPaglia – Balibo
Ben Mendelsohn – Beautiful Kate
Hugo Weaving – Last Ride
Rowan McNamara – Samson and Delilah
Best Actress
Sophie Lowe – Beautiful Kate
Frances O’Connor – Blessed
Sacha Horler – My Year Without Sex
Marissa Gibson – Samson and Delilah
Best Supporting Actor
Brandon Walters – Australia
Damon Gameau – Balibo
Oscar Isaac – Balibo
Bryan Brown – Beautiful Kate
Best Supporting Actress
Bea Viegas – Balibo
Maeve Dermody – Beautiful Kate
Rachel Griffiths – Beautiful Kate
Mitjili Gibson – Samson and Delilah
Best Original Screenplay
Serhat Caradee – Cedar Boys
Adam Elliot – Mary and Max
Sarah Watt – My Year Without Sex
Warwick Thornton – Samson and Delilah
Best Adapted Screenplay
Robert Connolly, David Williamson – Balibo
Rachel Ward – Beautiful Kate
Andrew Bovell, Melissa Reeves, Patricia Cornelius, Christos Tsiolkas – Blessed
Jan Sardi – Mao’s Last Dancer
You can see the full list of nominees here!
Quickflix 
OK, opinion time.Firstly, I am ashamed to say that I have not seen Balibo, Beautiful Kate or Blessed (will be rectified soon, promise).HOWEVER, I think Australia has been unfairly excluded from the Best Picture and Best Director categories. I am an unabashed fan of that film, and believe it was not only pretty great, but FAR better than Mao's Last Dancer (which was merely OK). Also, how in the world did Beresford's TV-melodrama-style direction best Baz's truly breathtaking filmmaking.Of course, even if Australia was nominated, I would still hope either Samson and Delilah or Mary and Max win Best Film. They are two of my favourite movies of the year (Australian or otherwise).Anyway, rant over.Oh, and BRANDON WALTERS FOR SUPPORTING ACTOR!
Haven't seen Blessed, Beautiful Kate (and don't really want to) and Mao's last dancer. I loved the other three best film nominations – I think Balibo will probably take it, but would love it if Mary and Max won. Also, where the hell is Disgrace?!Liked didn't love Australia, wouldn't have minded if it got nominated but not devestated by it's omission. And yes, Brendan Walters FTW
I am hoping Samson & Delilah and Blessed do really well.Beautiful Kate is an atrocious film. I will be extremely unhappy to see it win anything at all, let alone to see it win out over Samson & Delilah and Blessed in the bigger categories.