1979 Australian Film Institute Awards


The 21st Australian Film Institute Awards ceremony, presented by the Australian Film Institute, honored the best Australian feature films of 1979.

Winners and nominees

CategoryWinners
Best FilmMy Brilliant Career – Margaret Fink
Best FilmCathy's Child – Tom Oliver, Errol Sullivan
Best FilmIn Search of Anna – Esben Storm
Best FilmMad Max – Byron Kennedy
Best ActorMel Gibson – Tim
Best ActorAlan Cassell – Cathy's Child
Best ActorRichard Moir – In Search of Anna
Best ActorMichael Preston – The Last of the Knucklemen
Best ActressMichelle Fawdon – Cathy's Child
Best ActressJudy Davis – My Brilliant Career
Best ActressChantal Contouri – Snapshot
Best ActressRuth Cracknell – The Night the Prowler
Best Supporting ActorAlwyn Kurts – Tim
Best Supporting ActorHugh Keays-Byrne – Mad Max
Best Supporting ActorRobert Grubb – My Brilliant Career
Best Supporting ActorMichael Duffield – The Last of the Knucklemen
Best Supporting ActressPatricia Evison – Tim
Best Supporting ActressAileen Britton – My Brilliant Career
Best Supporting ActressPatricia Kennedy – My Brilliant Career
Best Supporting ActressWendy Hughes – My Brilliant Career
Best Original ScreenplayIn Search of Anna – Esben Storm
Best Original ScreenplayKostas – Linda Aronson
Best Original ScreenplayMad Max – James McClausand, George Miller
Best Original ScreenplayPalm Beach – Albie Thoms
Best Screenplay Adapted From Other MaterialMy Brilliant Career – Eleanor Witcombe
Best Screenplay Adapted From Other MaterialCathy's Child – Ken Quinnell
Best Screenplay Adapted From Other MaterialThe Last of the Knucklemen – Tim Burstall
Best Screenplay Adapted From Other MaterialMoney Movers – Bruce Beresford
Best CinematographyMy Brilliant Career – Donald McAlpine
Best CinematographyMad Max – David Eggby
Best CinematographyIn Search of Anna – Michael Edols
Best CinematographySnapshot – Vincent Monton
Best EditingMad Max – Tony Paterson, Clifford Hayes
Best EditingMoney Movers – William M. Anderson
Best EditingMy Brilliant Career – Nicholas Beauman
Best EditingThe Odd Angry Shot – Brian Kavanagh
Best Original Music ScoreMad Max – Brian May
Best Original Music ScoreThe Night the Prowler – Cameron Allen
Best Original Music ScoreIn Search of Anna – John Martyn
Best Original Music ScoreThe Last of the Knucklemen – Bruce Smeaton
Best Costume DesignMy Brilliant Career – Anna Senior
Best Costume DesignMad Max – Clare Griffin
Best Costume DesignThe Night the Prowler – Luciana Arrighi
Best Costume DesignThe Last of the Knucklemen – Kevin Regan