Diverse voices and inclusive storytelling triumph at Australian Directors’ Guild Awards

The Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG) Awards has highlighted the extraordinary breadth and depth of talent among Australian screen directors, with this year’s winners comprising screen legends, emerging voices and innovative storytellers. 

George Miller, one of Australia’s most celebrated filmmakers, added to his legacy with a win for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in the Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget $1.5M or over) category.

Tying for equal first with Miller for the top award were Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett for Uproar, a coming-of-age comedy-drama set in New Zealand during the controversial 1981 South African rugby tour that sparked nationwide protests against apartheid and racism.

Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget under $1.5M) went to Haydn Butler for Home Kills, a dark comedy that follows a young butcher’s apprentice who gets entangled in a web of crime when she discovers a body in a meat chiller.

Australian Directors’ Guild Executive Director Sophie Harper said distinct voices and inclusive narratives were a recurring theme among the winners announced tonight at Melbourne’s Astor Theatre, reflecting Australia’s vibrant cultural diversity. In addition to best directing awards across 19 categories, two special ADG awards were presented in recognition of extraordinary contributions to directing.

Best Direction of a Debut Feature was won by Natalie Bailey for Audrey, a heartfelt drama about a young woman struggling to find her place after a personal tragedy disrupts her life. Annelise Hickey’s Hafekasi, which explores mixed-race identity, was recognised for Best Direction of a Short Film, while Best Direction of a Student Film went to Veniamin Gialouris for Gorgo, which follows a Greek bride set to marry a man in Australia she’s never met.

Best Direction in Online Longform went to Jessica Smith for Videoland S1 E1 & E2, about 17-year-old Hayley, a video store clerk exploring her lesbian identity. Best Direction of a Documentary Series Episode or One-Off was awarded to Serge Ou for RUNN, chronicling Nedd Brockmann's remarkable journey as he runs across Australia to raise funds for homelessness.

Best Direction of a Feature Documentary went to Frances Elliott and Samantha Marlowe for Renee Gracie: Fireproof, which shines a light on former Supercars driver Renee Gracie’s unconventional career pivot, while Best Direction of a Drama Series Episode went to Emma Freeman for Fake S1E5.

The first of the Australian Directors’ Guild special awards, the Cecil Holmes Award, was presented to acclaimed Australian screen director, producer and writer Robert Connolly in recognition of his remarkable career and advocacy for Australian cinema.

“Robert Connolly has shaped the industry through groundbreaking works and relentless support for emerging talent. He has established a reputation as a brilliant producer and mentor to directors with ‘difficult to finance’, diverse Australian feature film projects,” ADG President Rowan Woods said. 

“He is an important critical thinker and thought leader who has been able to cut through institutional, financial and creative blockages to the financing, development and production of Australian screen stories. This award is a very loud thank you to Robert for his bravery, generosity and advocacy for Australian screen directors.”

The inaugural Baz Luhrmann Pathfinder Award, celebrating a director who has carved out a unique creative path, was presented to Indigenous director Dylan River – known for his deeply personal and innovative work across scripted and documentary forms.

“From directing Mystery Road: Origin to co-creating Thou Shalt Not Steal, Dylan River’s mastery of cinematography and dedication to truth-telling have earned him widespread acclaim. As the first recipient of this award, Dylan embodies the spirit of finding new and exciting ways to tell screen stories,” said Mr Woods.

Ms Harper added that this year’s ADG Awards, supported by the Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collecting Society (ASDACS), showcased Australian directors’ versatility, whether creating heartfelt humour, gripping drama or innovative online stories that push the boundaries of interactive and immersive content.

“The winners demonstrate the incredible breadth of Australian directing talent, from seasoned icons to bold new voices, and the special awards for Robert Connolly and Dylan River highlight our industry’s dedication to nurturing creativity and recognising excellence at every stage of a director’s career,” Ms Harper said.

Full list of 2024 Australian Directors’ Guild award winners

Award	Winner
Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget $1.5 M or over)	Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett Uproar  (TIE)
Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget $1.5 M or over)	George Miller Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga  (TIE)
Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget under $1.5 M)	Haydn Butler Home Kills
Best Direction of a Feature Documentary	Frances Elliott and Samantha Marlowe Renee Gracie: Fireproof
Best Direction of a Debut Feature	Natalie Bailey Audrey
Best Direction of a Miniseries Episode	Bonnie Moir Exposure S1 E5
Best Direction of a Drama Series Episode	Emma Freeman Fake S1 E5
Best Direction of a Documentary Series Episode or One-Off	Serge Ou RUNN
Best Direction of a Short Documentary	Brietta Hague Compass S39 E10 - Not In My Name
Best Direction of an Animation	Alexs Stadermann 200% Wolf  (TIE)
Best Direction of an Animation	Tania Vincent and Ricard Cussó The Sloth Lane  (TIE)
Best Direction of a Short Film	Annelise Hickey Hafekasi
Best Direction of a Student Film	Veniamin Gialouris Gorgo
Best Direction of a Commercial Advertisement	Tim Bullock AAMI: Athletes In The Making
Best Direction of Commercial Content	Sarah Hickey Monster & Bear: The Perfect Brief
Best Direction of a Music Video	Mick Soiza Semiiré: Decisions
Best Direction of an Interactive or Immersive Project	Logan Mucha A Beat To Hold Back The Dawn
Best Direction in Online Longform	Jessica Smith Videoland S1 E1 & E2
Best Direction in Online Shortform	Kaius Potter Fluff - Before The Mirror
Best Direction of a Comedy Series Episode	Helena Brooks Population: 11 S1 E10 - Like Father, Like Son
Best Direction of a Children’s Series Episode	Rosemary Myers Beep and Mort S2 E2 - Today! The Musical
Cecil Holmes Award	Robert Connolly
Baz Luhrmann Pathfinder Award	Dylan River