Two of Australia’s most acclaimed performers have joined the AACTA presidential team, with Russell Crowe becoming the President of AACTA, alongside Nicole Kidman as Vice President.
Both Crowe and Kidman have amassed recognition of the highest order at home and abroad over the last 30 years, beginning with their first Australian Film Institute Awards – now known as the AACTA Awards – in 1991 and 1987 respectively.
Since then, Crowe and Kidman have received Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for their work internationally, while also continuing to work on Australian productions.Crowe’s local productions include 2015’s The Water Diviner, which marked his directorial debut and received five AACTA Awards, including Best Film, while he also performed in Boy Erased and most recently True History of The Kelly Gang. Kidman’s performances in Australian productions over the last decade include Top of The Lake, Lion and Boy Erased, all of which earned her AACTA Awards. Nicole is also currently filming an adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel Nine Perfect Strangers in Australia, following the success of the Big Little Lies adaptation, which saw Kidman receive Emmy Awards for performance and producing.
Both Crowe and Kidman have been instrumental to growing AACTA internationally since the Australian Film Institute embarked on its historic transformation 10 years ago to raise the Australian screen industry’s profile internationally, and spur business, sales and job opportunities at home and abroad.
AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella was delighted to formalise Crowe and Kidman’s connections with Australia’s top screen body, given the impact of their support over the last 10 years. “The support of Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman has been integral to AACTA’s growth over the last decade, helping us to achieve record industry and audience growth and engagement in Australia and internationally.”
AACTA President Russell Crowe said, “It’s an incredible honour to be asked to serve as AACTA President. I want to refocus our politicians, of all persuasions, on the power and reach of our local screen industry. I’ll be working on encouraging the government to give Australian producers the fiscal tools they need to be globally competitive, while simultaneously fostering local talent and magnetising the industry to attract international productions. We need to grow our membership in every area of the industry and encourage people who work in film and television and people who love film and television to get involved with their Academy. I’m doubly honoured that Nicole is going to stand with me. I think we will make a good team. She’s pretty hard to say no to.”
AACTA Vice President Nicole Kidman said, “I’ve always been so proud of the Australian screen industry and what it continues to achieve globally. I’m looking forward to playing a role in setting a tone and a platform for future success.”
New South Wales Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the appointments were significant for the future of Australian screen industries. “To have two of NSW’s most acclaimed performers, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, lead the Academy into the future, there is no doubt that great things will be achieved in the realm of Australian screen in Sydney, the state and across Australia.”
