It is that time of year again when our Aussie stars of the screen come together on the Gold Coast to celebrate the year that was. Forte Magazine spent the evening chating to the celebs on the 2025 AACTA Awards Red Carpet.
This year’s awards were hosted by none other than acclaimed actor and AACTA President, Russell Crowe. Among all the glitz and glamour were big-name celebrities like Henry Cavill, Sam Neil, Jack Thompson, and Guy Pearce, not to mention special performances by Robbie Williams and our very own Paul Kelly.
Not only there to perform, but Paul Kelly was also awarded with the AACTA Award for Outstanding Contribution during Friday’s ceremony.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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Better Man, a recently released biopic centred on the life of Robbie Williams, won a total of nine AACTA Awards, including the Award for Best Lead Actor in Film, presented to Jonno Davies. On the Red Carpet, Jonno had discussed the making of the movie, sharing that there were a lot challenges, but with those came many highlights. “[Better Man] is a feat of a movie to accomplish. I think performing in front of Rod Laver, around 20,000 people, in a grey pyjama suit essentially, and the motion capture, shutting down Regent Street in London… I’ve never worked with such a passionate crew as I did over here, and I think they’re a real testament to the industry. Just getting to set every day was a joy”.
Pitted against each other this year were married couple Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford, who were both nominated in the same category. Speaking to the comedians on the Red Carpet, Anne jovially said “It’s pretty tense, the relationship is on the line”, while Lloyd piped up with “we might have to get separate rooms in the hotel”. Anne ended up winning Best Stand-Up Special, and did not miss the opportunity to rub in the win during her acceptance speech.
Fellow Victorian, Emily Joy, attending alongside the Human Error team, nominated for Best Min-iseries. “It’s so surreal!”, she said about being at the awards. “It’s something you dream of, since you were a little kid. So to finally be here, I can’t believe it yet, I’m still pinching myself”.
“I’m actually looking forward to seeing Russell Crowe on stage, and…to see Henry Cavill…I think that would be my highlight for the night”, shared Cameron Leonard, when asked what he was most looking forward to from the ceremony. “I need to relax!”, he joked. The Henry Cavill love was shared by Aussie heart throb Lincoln Lewis, saying “you could put Henry Cavill in any role on Earth and he’d kill it”.
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AACTA Youth Ambassador Charlotte Stent shared that “the last year has been an absolute privilege. I love working with AACTA. I have been grateful to attend many screenings, meet some incredible people, and networking is one of my favourite things”.
Making a splash on the Red Carpet was the cast from Boy Swallows Universe, who together achieved 12 wins. Born in regional Victoria, Travis Fimmel who portrayed Lyle in the series, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, alongside fellow cast members Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, and winner Lee Tiger Halley.
The 2025 AACTA Awards Red Carpet was a hive of activity, giving the chance for our many talented Aussies and international creatives to network, get all glammed up, and to celebrate the hard work that they’ve poured into their projects that hit our screens over the past year.
Thank you to the AACTA team for having us along – we look forward to being back on the Red Carpet, among all the excitement next year!
A full list of winners can be found here, and you can rewatch the ceremony on 10 Play, Binge, and Foxtel.
