The Sapphires lead 2nd AACTA nominations

The nominations for the second annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards were announced in Sydney today, with 2012’s biggest local hit, The Sapphires, leading the pack.

Wayne Blair’s box-office busting toe-tapper claimed 12 nominations, ahead of Jonathan Teplitzky’s Burning Man (10), Cate Shortland’s Lore (8), and Kieran Darcy-Smith’s Wish You Were Here (8). All four flicks will compete for Best Film, a prize which last year went to Red Dog despite Snowtown’s sweep across the other categories.

P.J. Hogan’s Mental also received eight nominations, but was snubbed in the Best Film competition. High profile releases Any Questions for Ben, Kath and Kimderella, Bait 3D, and Housos vs. Authority were completely overlooked, perhaps for obvious reasons.

Best Film

Burning Man
Lore
The Sapphires
Wish You Were Here

Best Director

Jonathan Teplitzky – Burning Man
Cate Shortland – Lore
Wayne Blair – The Sapphires
Kieran Darcy-Smith – Wish You Were Here

Best Lead Actor

Joel Edgerton – Wish You Were Here
Matthew Goode – Burning Man
Chris O’Dowd – The Sapphires
Guy Pearce – 33 Postcards

Best Lead Actress

Toni Collette – Mental
Deborah Mailman – The Sapphires
Felicity Price  – Wish You Were Here
Sarah Snook – Not Suitable for Children

Best Supporting Actress

Essie Davis – Burning Man
Rebecca Gibney – Mental
Deborah Mailman – Mental
Jessica Mauboy – The Sapphires

Best Original Screenplay

Jonathan Teplitzky – Burning Man
P.J. Hogan – Mental
Michael Lucas – Not Suitable for Children
Kieran Darcy-Smith, Felicity Price – Wish You Were Here

Best Adapted Screenplay

Cate Shortland, Robin Mukherjee – Lore
Keith Thompson, Tony Briggs – The Sapphires

See the full list of nominees here.

The winners of the 2nd AACTA awards will be announced at The Star in Sydney on January 30, 2013.