Over nearly two decades, the Deadlies have honoured hundreds of Indigenous achievers, from musicians to actors, footy legends and Olympians, local heroes in areas like health and education.
The awards recognise the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people across thirty-four categories including music, sports, entertainment and community affairs.
This year's finalists include Archie Roach and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu for best male artist of the year while Jessica Mauboy, Casey Donovan and Christina Anu are among the finalists for best female artist of the year.
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The awards also include three new categories this year to mark the achievements of Indigenous journalists and scientists and a community award for efforts in promoting healthy and smoke free lifestyles.
Drama series, Redfern Now is in the running for multiple awards - including MC, Luke Carroll, for Best Male Actor.
"I started acting when I was nine years old, and Ernie Dingo was the only black face that I saw on television," Mr Carroll said.
"So to have a male actor of the year category, and the talent that's within those, it fills my heart with joy just to be nominated."
National Indigenous Television features strongly - with Living Black, Move It Mob Style, Colour Thoery and the Marngrook Footy Show, all duking it out for TV show of the Year.
NITV News has also been nominated - for journalism story of the year - for breaking the story of Shayden and Junaid Thorne, two Noongah brothers in Saudi Arabia.
Our sportsmen and women will also be honoured.
Deadly's founder, Gavin Jones says the awards celebrate Indigenous achievement and promote local pride.
"A recent major study by Mc Nair Anderson found that 80 percent of Aboriginal people around Australia know of the Deadlies, and of that 80 percent say they watch the Deadlies on SBS or listen to it on the radio becasue a)it makes them feel proud of who they are, and b)it makes our culture and community healthy, and I think those findings say it all."
The Deadly's will be announced at the Sydney Opera House, in September.
