2024 AACTA Awards nominations: Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe lead

The Robbie Williams biopic Better Man leads the AACTA Awards nominations.

Better Man scored 16 nods including for film, directing for Michael Gracey and supporting actor and actress for Damon Herriman and Kate Mulvaney.

The movie also scored a nomination in best actor for Jonno Davies, who provides the voice and motion-capture performance for Williams’ onscreen avatar, a chimpanzee. Better Man is due for release on Boxing Day.

It was closely followed by Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga which landed 15 nominations including in film, directing for George Miller and three acting nods, one each for Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Alyla Browne.

Matching Furiosa in numbers is How to Make Gravy, the streaming movie adapted from Paul Kelly’s Christmas anthem. The movie was nominated for best film, directing for Nick Waterman and acting for Daniel Henshall, Hugo Weaving, Mulvany and Herriman.

Singer Meg Washington also scored three nominations, one for co-writing the screenplay and two in the original song category.

Indie horror movie Late Night with the Devil, which was a surprise commercial hit in the US, chalked up 14 nominations including for film, directing for Colin Cairnes and Cameron Cairnes and best actor for American star David Dastmalchian.

On the TV side, the leading contender is Netflix’s adaptation of Trent Dalton’s book Boy Swallows Universe, which scored a record 22 nominations including nine in the performance categories.

Felix Cameron, who won two Logie awards for his role, is nominated in best actor but will be facing off against Zac Burgess, who played the older version of the same character. Four of the cast are nominated in the best supporting actor category – Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, Travis Fimmel and Lee Tiger Halley.

Deborah Mailman, Sophie Wilde and Phoebe Tonkin were also nominated.

Colin From Accounts was the most nominated TV category, grabbing nine nominations for its second season including a pair of acting nods for co-creators and stars Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer.

Stan series Thou Shalt Not Steal was nominated in eight categories including best drama series, directing for creator Dylan River and lead actress for Sherry-Lee Watson.

The AACTA Awards will be announced across two ceremonies on the Gold Coast – the industry gala will be held on February 5 with the main gongs to be handed out on February 7.

Major categories:

FILM

Better ManFuriosa: A Mad Max SagaHow to Make GravyLate Night with the DevilMemoirs of a SnailRunt

LEAD ACTRESS IN FILM

Laura Gordon, Late Night with the DevilSarah Snook, Memoir of a SnailJackie van Beek, AudreyAnya Taylor-Joy, Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaAnna Torv, Force of Nature: The Dry 2Phoebe Tonkin, Kid Snow

LEAD ACTOR IN FILM

Eric Bana, Force of Nature: The Dry 2David Dastmalchian, Late Night with the DevilJonno Davies, Better ManDaniel Hensall, How to Make GravyGuy Pearce, The ConvertKodi Smit-McPhee, Memoir of a Snail

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FILM

Alyla Browne, Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaHannah Diviney, AudreyKate Mulvaney, Better ManKate Mulvaney, How to Make GravyIngrid Torelli, Late Night with the DevilJacki Weaver, Memoir of a Snail

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FILM

Faysal Bazzi, Late Night with the DevilChris Hemsworth, Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaDamon Herriman, Better ManDamon Herriman, How to Make GravyRichard Roxburgh, Force of Nature: The Dry 2Hugo Weaving, How to Make Gravy

DIRECTION IN FILM

Better Man – Michael GraceyFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga – George MillerHow to Make Gravy – Nick WatermanLate Night with the Devil – Colin Cairnes, Cameron CairnesMemoir of a Snail – Adam Elliot

SCREENPLAY IN FILM

Better Man – Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael GraceyFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga – George Miller, Nico LathourisHow to Make Gravy – Meg Washington, Nick WatermanLate Night with the Devil – Colin Cairnes, Cameron CairnesMemoir of a Snail – Adam Elliot

INDIE FILM

Before DawnBirdeaterChristmessJust a FarmerThe Emu WarYou’ll Never Find Me

DRAMA SERIES

FakeHeartbreak HighThe Artful DodgerThe TwelveThou Shalt Not StealTotal Control

NARRATIVE COMEDY SERIES

AustinBumpColin From AccountsFiskStrifeThe Office

MINISERIES

Boy Swallows UniverseExposureFour Years LaterHouse of GodsHuman ErrorLast Days of the Space Age

LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Asher Keddie, FakeDeborah Mailman, Total ControlLeah Purcell, High CountryAnna Torv, TerritoryPhoebe Tonkin, Boy Swallows UniverseSherry-Lee Watson, Thou Shalt Not Steal

LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Zac Burgess, Boy Swallows UniverseFelix Cameron, Boy Swallows UniverseRob Collins, Total ControlBrendan Cowell, PlumSam Neill, The TwelveNoah Taylor, Thou Shalt Not Steal

ACTING IN A COMEDY

Patrick Brammall, Colin From AccountsAaron Chen, FiskHarriet Dyer, Colin From AccountsKitty Flanagan, FiskGenevieve Hegney, Colin From AccountsAsher Keddie, StrifeMichael Theo, AustinFelicity Ward, The Office

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA

Essie Davis, ExposureRachel Griffiths, Total ControlHeather Mitchell, FakeDeborah Mailman, Boy Swallows UniverseSophie Wilde, Boy Swallows UniverseAsher Yasbincek, Heartbreak High

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA

Simon Baker, Boy Swallows UniverseWayne Blair, Total Control Bryan Brown, Boy Swallows UniverseTravis Fimmel, Boy Swallows UniverseLee Tiger Halley, Boy Swallows UniverseEwen Leslie, Prosper

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

BlueyEddie’s Lil HomiesHard Quiz KidsLittle J & Big CuzPlay School: Big Ted’s Time MachineSpooky Files