The Film Critics Circle of Australia is pleased to announce the nominations and winners for the films of 2021.
Due to circumstances, especially the difficulties raised by the Covid pandemic, the FCCA was unable to hold an event for the films of 2021. However, in line with the organisation’s aims to celebrate the excellence in Australian cinema, all Australian films released were viewed and voted on. The voting was extremely tight in the final rounds resulting in a dual award in the Best Director category.
High Ground was last night announced as Best Film in the annual Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards for Australian Film, for producers David Jowsey, Maggie Miles, Witiyana Marika, Greer Simpkin, Stephen Maxwell Johnson.
High Ground won in five of the eight categories, while Nitram won in four – with the award for Best Director going to both Stephen Maxwell Johnson for High Ground and Justin Kurzel for Nitram.
High Ground also collected Best Screenplay for Chris Anastassiades, Best Cinematography for Andrew Commis ACS and Best Actor Supporting Role for Sean Mununggurr.
The performances in Nitram were praised by the FCCA with Best Actor awarded to Caleb Landry Jones, Best Actress to Judy Davis and Best Actress Supporting Role to Essie Davis.
The 2021 Awards was a pared-back version of the full awards, impacted by Covid and lack of sponsorship.
Nominations and winners in bold listed in alphabetical order:
Best Film
High Ground
Producers: David Jowsey, Maggie Miles, Wityana Marika, Greer Simpkin, Stephen Maxwell Johnson
Nitram
Producers: Nick Batzias, Virginia Whitwell, Justin Kurzel, Shaun Grant
The Dry
Producers: Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson, Steve Hutensky, Rob Connolly, Eric Bana
Best Director
Robert Connolly, The Dry
Stephen Maxwell Johnson, High Ground
Justin Kurzel, Nitram
Best Screenplay
Chris Anastassiades, High Ground
Robert Connolly & Harry Cripps, The Dry
Shaun Grant, Nitram
Best Cinematography
Sam Chiplin, Penguin Bloom
Andrew Commis, High Ground
Stefan Duscio, The Dry
Best Actor
Eric Bana, The Dry
Caleb Landry Jones, Nitram
Jacob Junior Nayinggul, High Ground
Best Actress
Judy Davis, Nitram
Noni Hazlehurst, June Again
Naomi Watts, Penguin Bloom
Best Actress- Supporting Role
Essie Davis, Nitram
Claudia Karvan, June Again
Miranda Tapsell, The Dry
Best Actor Supporting Role
Anthony LaPaglia, Nitram
Sean Mununggurr, High Ground
Stephen Hunter, Ruby’s Choice
Featured image : Jack Thompson in ‘High Ground’ which took the best film award at the FCCA annual awards