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 Mununggur.
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.
Full list of winners and nominees below.
Best Film
High Ground ***
Producers: David Jowsey, Maggie Miles, Witiyana 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
Stephen Maxwell Johnson, High Ground ***
Justin Kurzel, Nitram ***
Robert Connolly, The Dry
Best Screenplay
Chris Anastassiades, High Ground ***
Robert Connolly & Harry Cripps, The Dry
Shaun Grant, Nitram
Best Cinematography
Andrew Commis ACS, High Ground ***
Sam Chiplin ACS, Penguin Bloom
Stefan Duscio ACS, The Dry
Best Actor
Caleb Landry Jones, Nitram ***
Eric Bana, The Dry
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
Sean Mununggurr, High Ground ***
Anthony LaPaglia, Nitram
Stephen Hunter, Ruby’s Choice
