AFI to form ‘Australian Academy’

The AFI has voted to launch an ‘Australian Academy’ after 84 percent of screen industry members and key industry organisations surveyed were in support of the move.

The move towards an academy aims to improve national and international recognition of Australia’s screen practitioners and see a change of date to the awards from December to January to align closer with the international awards season, and the likes of the BAFTAS and the AMPAS.

The academy will comprise of accredited professionals only and include an established “Honorary Council” consisting of key industry members, including representatives from each of the crafts and guilds.

AFI CEO Damian Trewhella said in a statement, “The ‘Australian Academy’ will draw upon some of the well recognised and understood elements of the AMPAS (USA) and BAFTA (UK) models, while tailoring these to meet local industry needs and traditions, and to ensure that our awards are still distinctly Australian.