<p>AACTA Awards Sydney, Australia
</p><p>It's the hottest ticket in town - the who's who of the Australian film and television industry are here at the AACTA awards.
</p><p>The mega event is being held at the world famous Sydney Opera House and was broadcast via Channel 9 at 9.30pm.
</p><p>The 4 legged star of Red Dog, Koko, was notably absent at the red carpet of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards - alas his film is nominated for 8 awards.
</p><p>The red carpet at the first-time awards ceremony at the Sydney Opera House played host to some of Australia’s most internationally acclaimed actors including Cate Blanchett, Olivia Newton-John and AACTA President, and Aussie of the Year, Geoffrey Rush.
</p><p>Cate Blanchett looked great in gold.
</p><p>Olivia Newton-John performed for the audience and wore a conservative black dress.
</p><p>Newton-John’s co-star in 'A Few Best Men', Xavier Samuel, who rose to international fame as Riley Biers in 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse', praised the state of the Australian film industry.
</p><p>“The Australian film industry is thriving. I think Red Dog is a terrific film,” he said.
</p><p>“The important thing is Australians are going to see Australian films.”
</p><p>Director of Red Dog, Kriv Stenders, also commented on the quality of current Australian films saying his movie faced strong competition from all of the nominated flicks.
</p><p>“What’s wonderful is it’s a year where we’ve got great films, and great filmmakers and great creative teams,” he said.
</p><p>“I think it’s a really good sign of the times.”
</p><p>He apologised for the absence of the Koko - the star of the film.
</p><p>“Sometimes we have to let him be a dog,” he said.
</p><p>Model Miranda Kerr, wife of Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, wore silver for the night with a Collette Dinnigan gown and confided to press she had not yet seen the top nominated film of the night.
</p><p>“I really want to see Red Dog,” she said.
</p><p>“I haven’t seen it but I’m dying to see it.”
</p><p>The AACTA awards recognise excellence in Australian film and television.
</p><p>It also has an international awards section, which took place in Los Angeles on Saturday with presenters Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth.
</p><p>The Music News Australia agency congratulates everyone involved in the success of the AACTA Awards.
</p><p>Websites
</p><p>Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA)
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.aacta.org">www.aacta.org</a> 
</p><p>Australian Film Institute
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.afi.org.au">www.afi.org.au</a> 
</p><p>The Lantern Group
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.lanterngroup.com.au">www.lanterngroup.com.au</a> 
</p><p>Sydney Opera House
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com">www.sydneyoperahouse.com</a> 
</p><p>Music News Australia
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.musicnewsaustralia.com">www.musicnewsaustralia.com</a> 
</p><p>Eva Rinaldi Photography
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.evarinaldi.com">www.evarinaldi.com</a> 
</p><p>Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
</p>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography">www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography</a>
<bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37885816" class="extiw" title="d:Q37885816"><span title="Australian photographer">Eva Rinaldi</span></a>
</bdi>
CC BY-SA 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/6795415067/">Erik Thompson</a>