2008 Australian Film Institute Awards


The 50th Annual Australian Film Institute Awards were presented at a ceremony in Melbourne's Princess Theatre on 5 and 6 December 2008. During the ceremony, the Australian Film Institute presented Australian Film Institute Awards in 40 categories including feature films, television, animation and documentaries. It was hosted by Stephen Curry.
The nominees for Best Documentary, Best Short Fiction Film and Best Short Animation were announced on 7 August, whilst the rest were announced at the Nominations Announcement at the Sydney Theatre Company in Walsh Bay on 29 October. The Black Balloon had the most nominations, with a total of 11 including Best Film.

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface; with nominees thereafter.

Television

[AACTA Award for [Outstanding Achievement in Television Screen Craft|AFI Award for Outstanding Achievement in Television Screen Craft]]

Steve Evans. Underbelly. For "Editing"

Non-Feature Film

[AACTA Award for Outstanding Achievement in [Short Film Screen Craft|AFI Award for Outstanding Achievement in Short Film Screen Craft]]

Xanthe Highfield. fOUR. For "Production Design"

Additional Awards

AFI International Award for Excellence in Filmmaking

Peter James ACS ASC. For "Cinematography"

Multiple nominations

Films

11 nominations: The Black Balloon10 nominations: Unfinished Sky7 nominations: The Jammed & ''The Square''

Television

8 nominations: Underbelly6 nominations: East West 1013 nominations: Summer Heights High, ''The Hollowmen & H2O: Just Add Water2 nominations: The Librarians & Rush''

Controversies and comments

AFI website "contenders"

On the website of the Australian Film Institute, it listed 25 expected nominees for the Best Film category. The 25 contenders were:
All My Friends Are Leaving BrisbaneBitter and TwistedBlack WaterCactusChildren of the Silk RoadDeath Defying ActsFive Moments of InfidelityGabrielGreen Fire EnvyHey, Hey, It's Esther BlueburgerMen's GroupPunishmentRats and CatsSalvationSeptemberTen EmptyThe Black BalloonThe IndependentThe JammedThe PlexThe SquareThe Tender HookThe Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of DenmarkThree Blind MiceUnfinished Sky