SBS secures 10 AACTA Awards nominations

It was an outstanding result for SBS as the 2019 AACTA Awards nominations for excellence on Australian screen were announced. The broadcaster scored ten nods across nine categories.

Asher Keddie and Richard Roxburgh in 'The Hunting' (Image: Nat Rogers) Source: SBS

Jaw-dropping drama wowed the judges, scooping up four nominations.

Starring Luca Sardelis, Alex Cusack, Kavitha Anandasivam and Yazeed Daher, The Hunting features teenagers caught up in a school sexting scandal. It was co-created by Closer Productions’ Sophie Hyde and Matthew Cormack, the director and writer team behind award-winning queer movie 52 Tuesdays.

The Hunting was also up for Best Telefeature or Mini Series and secured a Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy nod for Head On director Ana Kokkinos, for her work on episode 3, ‘#shittyboys’.

Cormack and Niki Aken shared a nomination for Best Screenplay in Television for their work on the same episode, which Guardian critic Luke Buckmaster called, “electrically uncomfortable”. 

Rake star Richard Roxburgh was recognised in the Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama field for his portrayal of a morally dubious father willing to cover up for his son’s insidious slut-shaming. The current AACTA record holder of most Lead Actor nominations, this is his first support nod.

‘Destination Flavour China’ scores three nominations. Source: SBS

Celebrity chef Adam Liaw’s food travelogue series Destination Flavour China nabbed three nominations, including Best Lifestyle Program and Best Direction in Nonfiction Television for Olivia Hoopmann’s work on the Beijing-focused first episode. Gilbert Farkas was recognised in the Best Cinematography in Television category for the same episode.

Elsewhere, Lingo Pictures’ steamy women’s boxing drama On The Ropes was also up for Best Telefeature or Mini Series alongside ABC’s The Cry, and Foxtel dramas Fighting Season and Lambs of God.

SBS was also in contention for Best Factual Entertainment Program for the celebrity-packed genealogy documentary series Who Do You Think You Are, produced by Warner Bros. Archival gem Australia In Colour, produced by Stranger Than Fiction Films, notched up a nomination in Best Documentary or Factual Program.

The 2019 AACTA Award-winners will be announced at an industry luncheon on Monday, 2 December, and the AACTA Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 4 December. For more information, click here.