George Souris MP Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing Minister for the Arts MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 3 December SYDNEY’S AACTA AWARDS TO STAY IN NSW NSW has again demonstrated the State’s pre-eminence in the creative arts and screen and television production industry by renewing the rights to host Australia’s most prestigious screen awards for another three years. Minister for the Arts, George Souris, today announced that Sydney would host the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards at least until 2017. The welcomed announcement came ahead of the 3rd AACTA Awards nominations event in Sydney this afternoon. “The AACTA Awards is a key creative industries event on the Sydney and NSW Events Calendar, playing a leading role in reinforcing NSW’s position as the creative services capital of Australia and the creative hub of the Asia Pacific Region and continues a three-year partnership, which included the formation of AACTA, began in 2011. “NSW is the hub of film and television production in Australia, with more than half of national screen businesses, almost 60 per cent of all Australians employed in the screen production industry and 40 per cent of Australia’s creative industries workforce based here. “Last year, NSW film and television businesses generated $570 million or 81 per cent, of all film and television drama production in Australia, with $430 million spent on drama productions filmed here. “I am delighted the AACTA Awards will again join our stable of key creative industries events supported by the NSW Government including Vivid Sydney, the ARIA Awards, Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week Australia, Sydney Film Festival and The Helpmann Awards.“ Mr Souris also congratulated the AACTA nominees announced at a ceremony in Sydney today. AACTA President and Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush, said: “Australia has an immensely talented community of screen professionals and the vision of the NSW Government in supporting the establishment of the Australian Academy in Sydney two years ago has led to unprecedented success for our nation’s most prestigious Screen Awards. This renewed support from the NSW Government will allow us to expand the Academy’s activities over time, particularly in connecting the industry together in Sydney.’’ CEO of AACTA, Damian Trewhella, said: ‘’By establishing the Australian Academy in Sydney, we have found a home for the AACTA Awards which is celebrated the world over for screen achievement and world-class events. The success of the inaugural and 2nd AACTA Awards created a new era for Australia’s screen industry, and Sydney is now firmly established as the home of Australia’s most prestigious screen Awards.” The 3rd AACTA Awards season will be held over two events at The Star Event Centre, Sydney - the 3rd AACTA Awards Luncheon presented by Deluxe will be held on Tuesday 28 January 2014, and the AACTA Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday 30 January 2014. .