FAQs document:
ASTRA Awards and AACTA Awards
Why has ASTRA partnered with AACTA?
Subscription television now competes in quality with the best screen entertainment produced anywhere in Australia. Participating in the AACTA Awards will give our members an opportunity to win recognition and promote their programs to new audiences.
What does AACTA stand for?
AACTA stands for Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts. The AACTAs are a continuum of the AFI Awards, which have honoured screen excellence in Australia since 1958. The AACTA Awards recognise film, television and documentary screen craft excellence - including screenwriting, producing and acting, through to cinematography, composition and costume design - across over 40 Awards. As Australia's highest film and television Awards, the AACTA Awards are Australia's equivalent of the Oscars and the BAFTAs.
What happens to the ASTRA Awards?
The last ASTRAs were held in 2015 and will no longer continue, although behind the scenes excellence will be recognised each year through the ASTRA Industry Awards
Who decided this?
This decision was taken by the ASTRA Board, which includes representatives of major member organisations and has an independent chair. The change had very broad endorsement and was supported by ASTRA management.
Will any ASTRA Awards remain?
The ASTRA Channel of the Year prize will be awarded at the annual ASTRA Conference, usually held in September each year. Information about entering will be circulated to channel heads closer to the time.
What does this mean for ASTRA, the organisation?
ASTRA will continue to focus on its core purpose: to advocate for regulatory change to help the industry grow. ASTRA will continue managing the industry’s regulatory and political affairs, ratings reports, communication, committees, industry development events and programs. It will also manage a calendar of more than 20 annual events including the ASTRA Conference, Industry Excellent Awards, Graduate Program, Leadership Forum, Spotlight Seminars, Canberra Showcase and our hugely popular Women in Television series.
Has subscription TV ever won an AACTA?
STV has won six AACTAs over the four years they have been running. Approximately one in every three STV nominations has gone on to win its category
2016 AACTA Awards
When are the 6th AACTA Awards?
Late in 2016 in Sydney, date and venue to be announced.
When will tickets go on sale?
October, 2016 although this will be announced closer to the time
What categories can I enter in 2016?
Subscription television productions will be able to enter all of the television AACTA Award categories, provided they meet the respective eligibility criteria. The full list of categories from the 5th AACTA Awards is below (please note this list will be reviewed ahead of the 6th AACTA Awards):
TELEVISION
AACTA Award for Best Children’s Television Series
AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series
AACTA Award for Best Light Entertainment Television Series
AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Television Program .
AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series
AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series
AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Mini Series
AACTA Award for Best Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy
AACTA Award for Best Direction in Television Light Entertainment or Reality Series
AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television
AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television
AACTA Award for Best Sound in Television
AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score in Television
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama
AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama
AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama
AACTA Award for Best Performance in a Television Comedy
DOCUMENTARY
AACTA Award for Best Documentary Television Program
AACTA Award for Best Direction in a Documentary
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary
AACTA Award for Best Editing in a Documentary
AACTA Award for Best Sound in a Documentary
AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score in a Documentary
Additionally, four new subscription television only Awards will be created and presented:
AACTA Subscription Television Award for Best Presenter – Male,
AACTA Subscription Television Award for Best Presenter – Female
AACTA Subscription Television Award for Best Live Production
AACTA Subscription Television Award for Best New Talent
How are the categories different from the ASTRAs?
Most categories are the same and its self-explanatory .
AACTA Awards do not currently have any specific categories for sport, news or music although these productions could be entered into the category for ' Best Live Production'
Who do I speak to with questions about eligibility?
You can call the AACTA awards department directly on (03) 9695 7223 or by emailing awards@afi.org.au go to the website at aacta.org/the-awards.aspx
What is the critical path for entering the 6th AACTA Awards?
All key dates for entries are below
- Entries open 12 May 2016
- Entries close ( depending on category) between May & August 2016
- Nominees announced October/November 2016
6TH AACTA AWARDS PRESENTED BY PRESTO – EVENT DATES
The 6th AACTA Awards presented by Presto Industry Luncheon will be held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on Monday 5 December 2016.
The 6th AACTA Awards Ceremony & Official After Party presented by Presto will be held at The Star Event Centre in Sydney on Wednesday 7 December 2016.
What will it cost to enter?
In 2015 it cost $1350 for general entries.
The cost in future years will be determined by AACTA however, in 2016 there will be no entry fee for the new subscription television categories.
Will subscription television participate in AACTAs juries?
Yes, AACTA members are called to judge every year. ASTRA will coordinate a sample of the industry to be included on juries in 2016.