The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) has announced its 2019 nominations, and “The Nightingale” leads the pack. Jennifer Kent’s revenge thriller scored a whopping 15 nods.
Set in 1825 Tasmania, “The Nightingale” follows an Irish convict (Aisling Franciosi, “The Fall”) determined to find and exact vengeance on the British army officer (Sam Claflin, “Me Before You”) who wronged her family. While pursuing her target, she enlists the help of an Aboriginal tracker (Baykali Ganambarr). Kent penned the script.
“The Nightingale’s” many nominations include Best Film, Best Direction and Best Screenplay for Kent, and Best Lead Actress for Franciosi.
Of six features up for Best Film, three are directed by women. Joining “The Nightingale” are Mirrah Foulkes’ “Judy & Punch” and Rachel Griffiths’ “Ride Like a Girl.” The former is an origin story about the Punch and Judy puppet show and the latter is a biopic of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to take home the esteemed Melbourne Cup.
Like Kent, Foulkes is also up for Best Direction and Best Screenplay. They account for two of the four nominees in each category.
While women directors and writers are well represented at this year’s Australian Academy Awards, none of the editors or cinematographers up for honors are women.
Check out the complete list of nominations over at Deadline.
