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| This site is in honour of all the Australians who have been nominated or who have won the most sought-after prize in film - the Academy Award of Merit, or "The Oscar".
There are two goals: To watch the annual Oscar race through Australian eyes to determine which Aussie will make the cut, and to pay tribute to the Aussies that have made the cut, right back to our first Oscar honouree, May Robson in 1932. I have now complied a complete history of Australians nominated for Oscars. Think I've missed somebody? Please let me know! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has written in to either compliment the site, use it for their own articles or research, or given me further information for the site and special thanks to Neil Jackson for adding to this list. |
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Summary of Most Successful Multiple-Nominee Australians in Oscar History:
Orry-Kelly - 3 wins, 1 nomination
John Truscott - 2 wins
Cate Blanchett - 1 win, 4 nominations
Catherine Martin, George Miller, John Seale - 1 win, 3 nominations
Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush - 1 win, 2 nominations
Dion Beebe, Jane Campion, John Farrow, Peter Finch, Mel Gibson,
Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger - 1 win, 1 nomination
Peter Weir - 6 nominations
Janet Patterson - 4 nominations
Richard Francis Bruce - 3 nominations
Ben Snow - 3 nominations
Luciana Arrighi, Bruce Beresford, Jill Billcock, David Bradbury, Judy Davis,
Scott Hicks, David Hirschfelder, Cecil Kellaway, Chris Noonan, Lee Smith - 2 nominations
Summary of Most Successful Categories for Australians in Oscar History:
Costume Design (6 wins, 7 nominations) ... Cinematography (6 wins, 6 nominations) ... Art Direction (4 wins, 4 nominations)
Lead Actor (3 wins, 5 nominations) ... Visual Effects (2 wins, 4 nominations), ... Animated Short (2 wins, 2 nominations)
Documantary Feature (2 wins) ... Director (1 win, 9 nominations) ... Picture (1 win, 7 nominations) ... Supporting Actress (1 win, 7 nominations)
Lead Actress (1 win, 6 nominations) ... Adapted Screenplay (1 win, 3 nominations) ... Original Screenplay (1 win, 3 nominations)
Sound / Sound Mixing (1 win, 3 nominations) ... Supporting Actor (1 win, 3 nominations) ... Makeup (1 win, 1 nominations) ... Animated Feature (1 win)
Film Editing (10 nominations) ... Live Action Short Film (5 nominations) ... Documentary Short Subject (4 nominations) ... Original Score (2 nominations)
Original Song (1 nomination) ... Sound Effects Editing / Sound Editing (0 nominations).
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2009
Congratulations to the following Australians nominated for Oscars!
   Janet Paterson - BRIGHT STAR (Costume Design) Carolynne Cunningham - DISTRICT 9 (Best Picture) Luke Doolan & Drew Bailey - MIRACLE FISH (Live Action Short Film)
Missing out this year: Mark Bradshaw - BRIGHT STAR (Original Score); Jane Campion - BRIGHT STAR (Original Screenplay); Abbie Cornish - BRIGHT STAR (Lead Actress); Janet Paterson & Charlotte Watts - BRIGHT STAR (Art Direction); Eddie White & Ari Gibson - CAT PIANO (Animated Short Film); Adam Elliott - MARY & MAX (Animated Feature Film); Dion Beebe - NINE (Cinematography); Andrew Lesnie - THE LOVELY BONES (Cinematography); Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - THE ROAD (Original Score); Warwick Thornton - SAMSON & DELILAH (Foreign Language Film); Ben Snow - TERMINATOR SALVATION (Visual Effects); Nathan McGuinness - TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (Visual Effects).
2008
Congratulations to Heath Ledger, winner of the Oscar for Supporting Actor for THE DARK KNIGHT.
 Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
  Catherine Martin - AUSTRALIA (Costume Design) Kirk Baxter - THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (Film Editing)
  Michael Carlin - THE DUCHESS (Art Direction) Ben Snow - IRON MAN (Visual Effects)
  Lee Smith - THE DARK KNIGHT (Film Editing) Tamara Anghie - NEW BOY (Live Action Short Film)
Missing out this year:
2007
Congratulations to Eva Orner, winner of the Oscar for Documentary Feature for TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE.
 Congratulations to Cate Blanchett, also nominated for two Oscars:
 Cate Blanchett - ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE (Actress)
Cate Blanchett - I'M NOT THERE (Supporting Actress) 2006
Congratulations to George Miller, winner of the Oscar for Animated Feature for HAPPY FEET.
 Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Cate Blanchett - NOTES ON A SCANDAL (Supporting Actress)
Peter Templeton and Stuart Parkyn - THE SAVIOUR (Live Action Short Film)
2005
Congratulations to Dion Beebe, winner of the Oscar for Animated Feature for Cinematography for MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA.
 Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Nikki Gooley - STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH (Makeup)
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (Actor in a Leading Role)
Anthony Lucas - THE MYSTERIOUS GEORGRAPHIC EXPLORATIONS OF JASPER MORELLO (Animated Short Film)
Missing out this year: Eric Bana - MUNICH (Actor); Paul Brincat - STAR WARS EPISODE 3: REVENGE OF THE SITH (Sound Mixing); Toni Collette - IN HER SHOES (Supporting Actress); Russell Crowe - CINDERELLA MAN (Actor); Roger Ford & Kerrie Brown - THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (Art Direction); Richard Gibson, Andrew Morris & Alan Robinson - A MESSAGE FROM FALLUJAH (Live Action Short Film); Andrew Lesnie - KING KONG (Cinematography); Donald McAlpine - CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (Cinematography); Geoffrey Rush - MUNICH (Supporting Actor); Lee Smith - BATMAN BEGINS (Film Edititng); Warwick Thompson & Kath Shelper - GREEN BUSH (Live Action Short Film); Naomi Watts - KING KONG (Actress).
2004
Congratulations to Cate Blanchett, winner of the Oscar for Supporting Actress for THE AVIATOR.
 Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Sejong Park and Andrew Gregory - BIRTHDAY BOY (Animated Short Film)
Missing out this year: Dion Beebe and Stuart Beattie - COLLATERAL (Cinematography); Luciana Arrighi - BEING JULIA (Art Direction); Bruce Finlayson - KINSEY (Film Editing); Roger Savage - HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (Sound Mixing); Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey - THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (Best Picture, Directing).
2003
Congratulations to Russell Boyd, winner of the Oscar for Cinematography for MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD,
and to Adam Elliot, winnder of the Oscar for Animated Short Film for HARVEY KRUMPET.
  Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Naomi Watts – 21 GRAMS (Lead Actress)
John Seale – COLD MOUNTAIN (Cinematography)
Nathan McGuinness – MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (Visual Effects)
Lee Smith – MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (Film Editing)
Wendy Stites – MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (Costume Design)
Peter Weir – MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (Director and as producer for Best Picture)
2002
Congratulations to Nicole Kidman, winner of the Oscar for Lead Actress (the first for an Australian) for THE HOURS.
 Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Dion Beebe - CHICAGO (Cinematography)
Ben Snow - STAR WARS EPISODE 2: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (Visual Effects) Steven Pasvolsky and Joe Weatherstone - INJA (DOG) (Live Action Short Film) Missing out this year: Jill Billcock - ROAD TO PERDITION (Film Editing), Paul Brincat - STAR WARS E2: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (Sound), Craig Armstrong - THE QUIET AMERICAN (Original Score), Luciana Arrighi - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Costume Design), Toni Collette - ABOUT A BOY (Supporting Actress), Christopher Doyle - THE QUIET AMERICAN and RABBIT-PROOF FENCE (Cinematography), Roger Ford and Kerrie Brown - THE QUIET AMERICAN (Art Direction), Phillip Noyce - THE QUIET AMERICAN (Director), Dick Pope - NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Cinematography)
2001
This year’s nominations provided for a record number of Australians nominated for Oscars, and so the media hype was unparallelled. Congratulations to Andrew Lesnie (Cinematography for LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING), Angus Strathie (Costume Design for MOULIN ROUGE), and Catherine Martin (Costume Design and Art Direction (with Brigitte Broch) for MOULIN ROUGE), who joined John Truscott and Mel Gibson as the third Australian to win two Oscars in the same year.
   Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Baz Luhrmann, Martin Brown and Fred Baron - MOULIN ROUGE (Best Picture)
Russell Crowe - A BEAUTIFUL MIND (Lead Actor) Nicole Kidman - MOULIN ROUGE (Lead Actress) Donald McAlpine - MOULIN ROUGE (Cinematography) Jill Bilcock - MOULIN ROUGE (Film Editing) Gethin Creagh (with others) - LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (Sound) Roger Savage & Guntis Sics (with others) - MOULIN ROUGE (Sound) Ben Snow (with others) - PEARL HARBOR (Visual Effects) Missing out this year: Baz Luhrmann (Director for MOULIN ROUGE), Janine Hosking (finalist for her Documentary Feature MY KHMER HEART), Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke (for their Original Score of ALI), Naomi Watts (for her performance in MULHOLLAND DRIVE), the whole cast and crew from LANTANA, John Seale's cinematography and Richard Francis-Bruce's editing of HARRY POTTER, Guy Pearce's performance in MEMENTO, Cate Blanchett's many performances, and Baz Luhrmann & Craig Pearce's MOULIN ROUGE screenplay.
2000
Congratulations to Russell Crowe, winner of the Oscar for Lead Actor for GLADIATOR.
 Congratulations to the following Australian also nominated for an Oscar:
Geoffrey Rush - QUILLS (Lead Actor)
Missing out this year: Cate Blanchett in THE GIFT, Richard Francis Bruce’s editing on THE PERFECT STORM, Lisa Gerrard not being included with Hans Zimmer for their score on GLADIATOR and John Seale’s cinematography on THE PERFECT STORM.
1999
Congratulations to Steve Courtley, winner of the Oscar for Visual Effects (with others)
and David Lee, winner of the Oscar for Sound (with others), both for THE MATRIX.
  Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Luciana Arrighi - ANNA AND THE KING (Art Direction)
Toni Collette - THE SIXTH SENSE (Supporting Actress) Russell Crowe - THE INSIDER (Lead Actor) Missing out this year: Nicole Kidman for EYES WIDE SHUT, Cate Blanchett for THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, Frances O'Connor for MANSFIELD PARK, Owen Paterson's art direction for THE MATRIX, Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke's score for THE INSIDER, Richard Francis Bruce's editing of THE GREEN MILE, and the biggest snub to John Seale's cinematography for THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY.v
1998
This was an amazing year for Australian individual nominees. The media here went crazy with the news that (relatively) so many high-profile nominations were Australian. It was heartbreaking to see that all of the nominees lost out in the end.
Congratulations to the following Australian nominated for Oscars:
Peter Weir - THE TRUMAN SHOW (Director)
Cate Blanchett - ELIZABETH (Lead Actress) Geoffrey Rush - SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (Supporting Actor) Rachel Griffiths - HILARY AND JACKIE (Supporting Actress) Grant Hill - THE THIN RED LINE (Producer, Best Picture) David Hirschfelder - ELIZABETH (Original Dramatic Score) Paul Brincat - THE THIN RED LINE (Sound) Missing out this year: The crews from DARK CITY and BABE: PIG IN THE CITY.
1997
Perennial nominees Bruce and Patterson made it this year, in what was a lean year for Aussie nominees. Our hopes were pinned on Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce from L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, who somehow cancelled each other out in the minds of Academy voters. The Australian film of the year, KISS OR KILL (Bill Bennett) also failed to ignite any real enthusiasm amongst American critics and Academy voters.
Congratulations to the following Australians nominated for Oscars:
Richard Francis Bruce - AIR FORCE ONE (Film Editing) Janet Patterson - OSCAR AND LUCINDA (Costume Design)
1996
This was truly a golden year for Aussie films and individual nominees. Only BABE and THE PIANO had made it to the prestigious Best Picture short list before SHINE made such an impact. We have had to wait since Peter Finch postumously won for NETWORK for an Aussie to clench a Best Actor prize, and so Geoffrey Rush's win was particularly celebrated at home. German actor Armin Mueller-Stahl was also nominated for his supporting performance in SHINE.
Congratulations to Geoffrey Rush, winner of the Oscar for Lead Actor for SHINE, and to John Seale, winner of the Oscar for Cinematography for THE ENGLISH PATIENT.
  Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Scott Hicks - SHINE (Director) Scott Hicks & Jan Sardi - SHINE (Original Screenplay)
David Hirschfelder - SHINE (Original Dramatic Score)
Pip Karmel - SHINE (Film Editing)
Catherine Martin (with Brigitte Broch) - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO + JULIET (Art Direction)
Janet Patterson - THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY (Costume Design)
1995
This was the year that Australians scored the most wins. Two Best Picture nominees were connected to Australia. Our favourite expat, Mel Gibson was finally recognised by the Academy, and is the second Australian to win two Oscars in the same year - the two top awards of the night. And a little pig brought home the bacon. On top of these nominations and wins, James Cromwell was also nominated for his supporting performance in BABE.
Congratulations to Bruce Davey & Mel Gibson, winners of the Oscar for Best Picture, and to Mel Gibson, winning the Director Oscar for BRAVEHEART, to Peter Frampton & Paul Pattison, winners of the Oscar for Makeup for BRAVEHEART, and to John Cox for his Visual Effects (with others) in BABE.
    Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
George Miller, Doug Mitchell & Bill Miller - BABE (Best Picture)
Chris Noonan - BABE (Director) Chris Noonan & George Miller - BABE (Adapted Screenplay) Marcus D'Arcy - BABE (Film Editing) Richard Francis-Bruce - SE7EN (Film Editing) Roger Ford & Kerrie Brown - BABE (Art Direction/Set Decoration)
1994
The amazing costumes worn by the drag queens from outback Australia shocked the establishment when the costume designers from THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT snagged the prize over some more traditional opposition. Notable in absence was Nicole Kidman for her fantastic performance in TO DIE FOR, and any nominations for the lauded STRICTLY BALLROOM.
Congratulations to Lizzy Gardner & Tim Chappel, winners of the Oscar for Costume Design for THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT.
 Congratulations to the following Australian also nominated for an Oscar:
Richard Francis Bruce - THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (Film Editing)
1993
This was a watershed year for the Australian film industry when THE PIANO (a co-production between Australia, France and New Zealand) became the first Australian Best Picture nominee (an Australian co-production). The film also won two other Oscars, for American Holly Hunter (Best Actress) and New Zealander Anna Paquin (Best Supporting Actress)
Congratulations to Jane Campion, winner of the Oscar for Original Screenplay for THE PIANO. Special mention also for being only the second woman to have been nominated for Best Director.
 Congratulations to the following Australians also nominated for Oscars:
Jane Campion - THE PIANO (Director) Stuart Dryburgh - THE PIANO (Cinematography)
Janet Patterson - THE PIANO (Costume Design)
Veronika Jenet - THE PIANO (Film Editing)
Jan Chapman - THE PIANO (Best Picture)
1992
This year we pinned our hopes on two respected writers, a production designer and our golden girl, Judy Davis. And who can forget the grimace on Judy's face when Jack Palance made that stupid joke that all five Best Supporting Actress nominees were foreign (four British and one from Brooklyn). Jack, forget the one-hand push-ups, and get a clue.
Congratulations to Luciana Arrighi, winner of the Oscar for Art Direction for HOWARDS END.
 Congratulations to the following Australians nominated for Oscars:
George Miller & Nick Enright - LORENZO'S OIL (Original Screenplay)
Judy Davis - HUSBANDS AND WIVES (Supporting Actress) 1991
Sadly, there were no Aussies recognised by the Academy this year. Critics virtually fell over themselves as they heaped praise on Jocelyn Moorhouse's PROOF and its star Hugo Weaving. Another praised Australian film, DEAD CALM, with its star Nicole Kidman, was ignored as well.
1990
I can still remember the media frenzy that happened when Dean Semler won an Oscar for photographing DANCES WITH WOLVES. Unfortunately, no Australian films were given a look in, although GREEN CARD, being an Australian co-production with France, received one nomination for Peter Weir's screenplay.
Congratulations to Dean Semler, winner of the Oscar for Cinematography for DANCES WITH WOLVES.
 Congratulations to the following Australian nominated for an Oscar:
Peter Weir - GREEN CARD (Adapted Screenplay) 1989
Peter Weir was the sole Aussie nominee for his direction of DEAD POET'S SOCIETY. Who can forget the almost unbelievable snubbing of Bruce Beresford, who directed DRIVING MISS DAISY, which went on to win Best Picture.
1988
EVIL ANGELS (aka A CRY IN THE DARK) was overlooked except for Meryl Streep's performance, so our sole nominee was John Seale for his cinematography in RAIN MAN.
1986
There were two nominees this year. Paul Hogan, Ken Shadie and John Cornell were nominated for Best Original Screenplay for CROCODILE DUNDEE, and David Bradbury received his second career nomination in the Documentary Short Subject category for CHILE: HASTA CUANDO.
1985
There were two nominees in 1985, both from the U.S. film WITNESS. Peter Weir was nominated as Best Director, and John Seale was nominated for his Cinematography.
1984
The sole Aussie nominee was for Judy Davis' leading role in A PASSAGE TO INDIA.
1983
There were three Aussies nominated in two categories this year. Bruce Beresford was nominated as Best Director for TENDER MERCIES, and Robin Anderson & Bob Connelly were nominated for their Documentary Feature FIRST CONTACT. In top of this, American Linda Hunt took home a Supporting Actress Oscar for the Australian film THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY.
1981
The sole Aussie nominee this year was Peter Allen, who co-wrote the Original Song nominee "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" from ARTHUR.
1980
This was a great year for Aussie nominees. Five Australians made the cut in three categories:
Bruce Beresford, Jonathan Hardy & David Stevens - BREAKER MORANT (Adapted Screenplay) David Bradbury - FRONTLINE (Documentary Short Subject) Anna Senior - MY BRILLIANT CAREER (Costume Design)
1979
Phillip Boros was nominated this year as producer of the Short Subject NAILS.
1976
Peter Finch eventually won the Oscar on his second time around, for his leading role in NETWORK. He is notable for being the only actor to win the coveted Best Actor statuette posthumously. There was a second Australian win this year - Suzanne Baker, who became the first Australian woman to win the Oscar, for her Animated Short Film LEISURE.
  1971
The sole Aussie nominee was Peter Finch, receiving his first Oscar nomination for his leading role in SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY.
1969
Ken Muggleston was the sole Aussie nominee and winner for Art Direction/Set Decoration for OLIVER!.
1967
This was an excellent year for Aussies. There was no film industry to speak of, but expatriates were really making their mark. Two Australians made the cut in three categories, with John Truscott taking home 2 Oscars, the only Aussie in the history of the Academy Awards to this point to do it in one year.
Congratulations to John Truscott, winner of the Oscars for Art Direction and Costume Design for CAMELOT.
 Congratulations to the following Australian nominated for an Oscar:
Cecil Kellaway - GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (Supporting Actor)
1963
Diane Cilento was nominated this year for her role in TOM JONES, one of three women in the film nominated in the same category.
1962
The sole Aussie nominee was the by now legendary Orry-Kelly, picking up his fourth nomination for his Costume Design for GYPSY.
1961
Orry-Kelly picked up his third nomination and win for his costume design for SOME LIKE IT HOT.
1957
Orry-Kelly picked up his second nomination and win for his costume design for LES GIRLS.
1956
John Farrow, Mia Farrow's father (born in Sydney in 1904), won the Adapted Screenplay Oscar for penning AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS.
1951
Orry-Kelly picked up his first nomination and win for his costume design for AN AMERICAN IN PARIS.
1950
Robert Krasker, acclaimed Australian expat cinematographer, won for his brilliant work on Carol Reed's THE THIRD MAN.
1948
Cecil Kellaway picked up his first career nomination for his supporting performance in LUCK OF THE IRISH.
1947
Again, Australia showed up in the Documentary Short Subject category for SCHOOL IN THE MAILBOX.
1943
The Documentary Short Subject THE BISMARCK CONVOY SMASHED was nominated this year.
1942
Australia's first win at the Oscars, and a national treasure at the ScreenSound Archive, is the Oscar won by Ken Hall and Damien Parer for the wartime documentary KOKODA FRONT LINE. John Farrow was also nominated in 1942 for directing WAKE ISLAND.
1940
Judith Anderson, born in Adelaide in 1898, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in REBECCA.
1932/1933
Australia's first nomination at the Oscars was for May Robson's Best Actress nomination for her role in LADY FOR A DAY.
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