ADG AWARDS 2024 WINNERS

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 two brothers who run a small rural home kills and butchery service but begin offering a new service – killing people – to make ends meet.

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.

LIST OF 2024 AUSTRALIAN DIRECTORS' GUILD

AWARD WINNERS

SPECIAL AWARDS

Baz Luhrmann Pathfinder Award Winner

Dylan River

Cecil Holmes Award Winner

Robert Connolly

The Esben Storm Award for Best Direction of a Children’s Series Episode

Rosemary Myers - Beep and Mort S2 E2 - Today! The Musical

Best Direction of a Comedy Series Episode

Helena Brooks - Population: 11 S1 E10 - Like Father, Like Son

Best Direction in Online Shortform

Kaius Potter - Fluff - Before The Mirror

Best Direction in Online Longform

Jessica Smith - Videoland S1 E1 & E2

Best Direction of an Interactive or Immersive Project

Logan Mucha - A Beat To Hold Back The Dawn      

Best Direction of a Music Video

Mick Soiza - Semiiré: Decisions

Best Direction of a Commercial Content 

Sarah Hickey - Monster & Bear: The Perfect Brief

Best Direction of a Commercial Advertisement

Tim Bullock - AAMI: Athlete’s In The Making

Best Direction of a Student Film

Veniamin Gialouris - Gorgo

Best Direction of a Short Film

Annelise Hickey - Hafekasi

Best Direction of an Animation

Tania Vincent and Ricard Cussó - The Sloth Lane

Alexs Stadermann - 200% Wolf

Best Direction of a Short Documentary

Brietta Hague - Compass S39 E10 - Not In My Name

Best Direction of a Documentary Series Episode or One-Off 

Serge Ou - RUNN

Best Direction of a Drama Series Episode

Emma Freeman - Fake S1 E5

Best Direction of a Miniseries Episode

Bonnie Moir - Exposure S1 E5

Best Direction of a Debut Feature

Natalie Bailey - Audrey

Best Direction of a Feature Documentary

Frances Elliott and Samantha Marlowe - Renee Gracie: Fireproof

Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget under $1.5 M)

Haydn Butler - Home Kills

Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget $1.5 M or over)

 George Miller - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Paul Middleditch & Hamish Bennett - Uproar

HIGHLY COMMENDED

The Esben Storm Award for Best Direction of a Children’s Series Episode

Best Direction of a Short Documentary

Patrick Abboud - Gayrabia

Best Direction of a Miniseries Episode

Peter Salmon - After The Party S1

Best Direction of a Feature Documentary

Gracie Otto - Otto By Otto

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES 2024 ADG AWARDS

The Esben Storm Award for Best Direction of a Children’s Series Episode

Sarah Hickey   Crazy Fun Park S1 E4 - Remember Me

Craig Irvin        The Spooky Files S1 E5 - Welcome to Lake Tranquillity

Rosemary Myers         Beep and Mort S2 E2 - Today! The Musical

Sian Davies Surviving Summer S2 E1 – Selection

Nina Buxton  Planet Lulin S1 E7 – Hair Raiser   

Best Direction of a Comedy Series Episode

Robyn Butler & Wayne Hope Colin From Accounts S2 E5 - Waterfall

Helena Brooks Population: 11 S1 E10 - Like Father, Like Son

Trent O'Donnell          Population: 11 S1 E1 - Outback UFO Tours

Alyssa McClelland       Sex Education S4 E6

Best Direction of Online Shortform

Nash Edgerton Far Enough - Vote Yes

Ryan Cauchi    Greystanes - Chapter 09

Jemma Cotter I’m So Sorry For Your Loss S1 E3 - Dead Ringer

Kaius Potter    Fluff - Before The Mirror

Jesse Vogelaar Ruby Rai P.I. S1 E2 - Gobbo & Chi Chi

Best Direction of Online Longform

Liam Fitzgibbon          Descent S1 E4 - Get Busy Livin’ or Get Busy Eel

Jessica Smith   Videoland S1 E1 & E2

Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien    Pleasant Avenue S1 E2 - Mr Masala

Monique Terry and Abby Gallaway    Touch S1

Joanna Beveridge       Shippers S1 E7 - O K-Drama

Best Direction of an Interactive or Immersive Project

Simon Croker and Rosie Pavlovic       David's Dead!!

Logan Mucha  A Beat To Hold Back The Dawn

Ben Joseph Andrews and Emma Roberts       Turbulence: Jamais Vu

 

Best Direction of a Music Video

James Chappell           Stephen Sanchez: Baby Blue Bathing Suit

Mick Soiza       Semiiré: Decisions

Kyle Caulfield  Allday, Cubsport: Miss You Still

Cameron Zayec   Witchgrinder: Queen of Sin

Best Direction of Commercial Content

Sarah Hickey   Monster & Bear: The Perfect Brief

Tony Walsh     Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute: To Keep A Heart Beating

Tony Walsh     NRL: Dolphin Smart!

Hossein Khodabandehloo       Public Transport Victoria: Hi Vis Humanity - Transport Workers are People Too

Best Direction of a Commercial Advertisement

Michael Spiccia           Amazon Prime: Concrete Jungle

Tim Bullock     AAMI: Athletes In The Making

Sarah Hickey   FIFA Women’s World Cup Trailer 2023

Aislinn Lowe    Google: Meet Google Demand Gen

Tom Noakes    Apple: Swoop

Best Direction of a Student Film

Lucien Perry    Hiraeth

Isabella Andronos       Under the Water

Lotte Sweeney Bottleneck

Chloe Kemp    Say

Veniamin Gialouris     Gorgo

Best Direction of a Short Film

Nick Russell     Favourites

Lucy Coleman Lean In

Will Suen and Sejon Im           Sweet Juices

Annelise Hickey          Hafekasi

Nick Lacey and Nathan Lacey Die Bully Die

Best Direction of an Animation

Alexs Stadermann       200% Wolf

Tania Vincent and Ricard Cussó         The Sloth Lane

Best Direction of a Short Documentary

Gianna Mazzeo           The History of the Carabiner

Brietta Hague  Compass S39 E10 - Not In My Name

Patrick Abboud           Gayrabia

Ella Wright      Tee Ken Ng

Best Direction of a Documentary Series Episode or One-Off

Emma Watts   Last Chance To Save A Life

Nel Minchin    The Way We Wore S1 E1 - The Media

Serge Ou         RUNN

Best Direction of a Drama Series Episode

Jeffrey Walker The Artful Dodger S1 E8 - Untapped Potential

Fadia Abboud  House of Gods S1 E5 - Lament

Adam Murfet and Jessie Oldfield       Heartbreak High S2 E8 - Boys Don’t Cry

Leticia Cáceres            Erotic Stories S1 E1 - Philia

Emma Freeman          Fake S1 E5

Best Direction of a Miniseries Episode

Peter Salmon  After The Party S1

Bonnie Moir    Exposure S1 E5

Glendyn Ivin    The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart S1 E1 - Black Fire Orchid

Tig Terera        Swift Street S1 E1 - Thank You Elsie

Bharat Nalluri Boy Swallows Universe S1 E1 - Boy Smells Rat

Best Direction of a Debut Feature

Haydn Butler   Home Kills

Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen            You’ll Never Find Me

Daniel Fenech The Blind Sea

Natalie Bailey  Audrey

Best Direction of a Documentary Feature

Frances Elliott and Samantha Marlowe         Renee Gracie: Fireproof

Jenny Hicks     Dale Frank – Nobody's Sweetie

James Bradley Welcome to Babel

Gracie Otto     Otto by Otto

Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget under $1.5 M)

Haydn Butler   Home Kills

Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen            You’ll Never Find Me

Dane McCusker           The Big Dog

Timothy Despina Marshall      In the Room Where He Waits

Best Direction of a Feature Film (Budget $1.5 M or over)

Paul Middleditch & Hamish Bennett Uproar

Robert Connolly Force of Nature

George Miller  Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Kyle Portbury The Hopeful

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2024 ADG AWARDS CATEGORIES 

*KEY DATES*
Submissions Open: Wednesday 15th May 2024 AEST

Submissions Close: Thursday 1st August 2024 5:00PM AEST

Submissions Second Round Open: Thursday 29th August 2024

Submissions Second Round Close 5th September 2024 AEST

Nominees Announcement: 5th November 2024 AEST

ADG Awards Ceremony to be held on 22 November 2024

 

Terms and conditions for eligibility and category information can be found HERE

If you have any questions or concerns, please email awards@adg.org.au.

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