Glitch.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has called for television entries for the 6th AACTA Awards, with five new awards announced today.
The new AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program will be open to free-to-air and subscription television entries, while four new subscription-only television awards have been created as a result of AACTA’s recently announced partnership with the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), recognising Best New Talent, Best Male Presenter, Best Female Presenter and Best Live Event Production.
“Australian television resonates deeply with audiences at home and abroad, with a number of our popular dramas exported to 80 countries around the world", AFI-AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said. "The AACTA Awards put an internationally-recognised ‘stamp of success’ on our best productions, helping to increase sales and grow these audiences."
“We know that AACTA Award wins and nominations generate huge exposure and sales for our television productions. More than 80 percent of last year’s AACTA Award winners said their win directly benefited their television network, and 75 percent said their win benefited their career either through new job offers, their series being renewed, or by receiving funding for new projects. These findings are consistent with our research over the last five years since the Academy launched, and we look forward to creating more opportunities for this year’s nominees and winners.”
“AACTA has worked with the industry to create a number of new television awards since the launch of the Academy in 2011, including introducing 10 new television craft awards in 2013, and we will continue to assess industry need and feedback in relation to any future additions to ensure relevancy and bestpractice.
“We’re very pleased to extend the reach of our footprint into dedicated subscription television awards, and our partnership with ASTRA marks an exciting new pathway for recognising new Australian talent and adding a new level of recognition to live events broadcast on subscription television.”
Louise Fox, writer and co-creator of Glitch, which won the AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series last year, said winning added significant gravitas to the production.
“Winning the AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series last year gave Glitch greater visibility, respect and kudos from within and outside of the Australian industry. It also allowed us to promote the title as having won a national award that has equivalents that could be understood internationally.”
ASTRA CEO Andrew Maiden said: “ASTRA is delighted to be partnering with AACTA to promote subscription television. Our members invest $800 million in local content each year, producing bold and distinctive programs that often set us apart from free-to-air television. We look forward to recognising the high quality content produced for subscription television which stands up amongst the best Australian television has to offer.”