Aussie film stars honoured at AACTA awards

The biggest stars of the Australian screen came together in Sydney for the inaugural AACTA Awards. The awards celebrated the best Australian documentary, short film and television, and honoured those who make it all possible from behind the camera. Those attending said it was a celebration of a maturing and more diverse Australian industry.

'The Palace,'—which tells the story of a family trying to survive the 1974 conflict in Cyprus -- won best short film and best short film screenplay.

“I'd met a whole lot of refugees who has fled that conflict here in Australia and I was just amazed at the stories they had to tell and they're a really integral part of Australian society,” it writer and director Anthony Maras told SBS.

Rachel Perkins, Executive Producer of nominated documentary 'The Tall Man' says she would like to see more diverse Australian stories like 'The Palace' being produced. "It's about putting Australian stories up on screen so we can see ourselves reflected back. I think that's great for our culture, our kids and really our national identity," Rachel Perkins told SBS. Today's ceremony recognised the work of those behind the lens, honouring in particular the career of Don McAlpine. The cinematographer received the Raymond Longford Award - the country's highest screen accolade - for his work which has spanned more than 40 years and included feature films such as "Moulin Rouge" and the "Chronicles of Narnia". The film veteran said the movie industry had become leaner and meaner, but had this message for those wanting to make their mark from behind the camera: "Just shoot film, shoot video, shoot digital and keep doing it, maybe it'll all happen one day," Don McAlpine said today. The awards will conclude with a final ceremony at the Sydney Opera house at the end of January.