The Nightingale AACTA

Transmission Films' The Nightingale has made history at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards overnight in Sydney, winning a total of six awards including Best Film.

Filmmaker Jennifer Kent made AACTA Awards history taking home the awards for Best Direction and Best Screenplay, as well as sharing the top prize of the evening, Best Film, with fellow producers Kristina Ceyton, Bruna Papandrea, and Steve Hutensky. This marks the first time a female filmmaker has claimed the top three awards for the same film in a single year.

Irish-Italian actress Aisling Franciosi was awarded Best Lead Actress, for her remarkable portrayal of Clare, and newcomer Magnolia Maymuru was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the AACTA's luncheon earlier this week. Nikki Barrett also won the award for Best Casting at the luncheon.

The Nightingale led the nominations at this year's Awards, having also received nods in the Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Editing, Sound, Production Design, Costume Design, and Hair and Makeup categories.

These awards continue a stellar run for The Nightingale. After premiering at the Venice Film Festival 2018, where it was awarded both the Special Jury Prize and Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for Baykali Ganambarr, the film was selected to screen at Adelaide Film Festival 2018, Sundance Film Festival 2019, Sydney Film Festival 2019, and Melbourne International Film Festival 2019. Earlier this week the National Board of Review named the film one of the Top Ten Independent Films for the year. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, The Nightingale has been described as "mythic and gripping" (Variety), "staggering" (Collider) and "essential viewing" (/Film).

"We are so pleased with this result for The Nightingale. Jennifer Kent and the entire film team have made a powerful and important story that we feel privileged to have shared with Australian audiences. We thank the Australian Academy for their recognition of the achievements of everyone involved," said Transmission Films Joint Managing Directors Andrew Mackie and Richard Payten.

The Nightingale is now available to rent or buy on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital.