The Australian film industry is buzzing with excitement as the AACTA Awards approach, and the conversation revolves around the diverse range of nominated movies and TV shows. But let's rewind to the year 2000, when Kate Woods, a director making her debut, took the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards by storm with her coming-of-age masterpiece, 'Looking for Alibrandi'. This heartwarming film, starring Pia Miranda and Anthony LaPaglia, swept five awards, including the prestigious Best Film and Best Lead Actress for Miranda.
Fast forward to the present, and Woods is back in the spotlight with her second movie, 'Kangaroo', a delightful family comedy that has charmed audiences and critics alike. The film follows Chris, a disgraced weatherman, who finds solace in nurturing orphaned joeys with the help of a young Indigenous girl, Charlie. But here's where it gets interesting: 'Kangaroo' has garnered a whopping six AACTA nominations, including Best Film and Best Direction for Woods, and acting nods for its talented cast.
Woods, overwhelmed by the recognition, reflects on her journey, stating, "I never thought it would happen twice." But the competition is fierce. 'Kangaroo' is up against the horror sensation 'Bring Her Back', directed by twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, which boasts an impressive 16 nominations. Another strong contender is Kriv Stenders's 'The Correspondent', starring Richard Roxburgh, with 14 nominations, based on the true story of journalist Peter Greste's imprisonment.
Woods sees 'Kangaroo' as a unique offering among the best film nominees, describing it as "a small and gentle film, specifically for younger audiences." She is thrilled that it has resonated with a diverse range of viewers and is proud to be part of such an esteemed group of nominees. And resonate it did! 'Kangaroo' was the most popular Australian film of 2025, raking in $5.6 million at the box office.
Woods attributes this success to the film's heartwarming themes of family, community, and belonging, as well as the undeniable cuteness of baby kangaroos. She intentionally crafted a feel-good experience, saying, "It's a little bit sentimental: you just have a laugh and a bit of a cry for the right reasons." And it worked like a charm.
After her debut success, Woods faced challenges finding work in Australia, but an opportunity arose in 2005 when Anthony LaPaglia offered her a directing role in the police drama 'Without a Trace'. This led to a string of TV directing gigs in the US, including 'Person of Interest', 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.', and 'Umbrella Academy'. During this time, she also found love and settled in Monterey, California.
Woods continued to write scripts and seek funding for her projects, and her perseverance paid off with 'Kangaroo', produced by StudioCanal's Australian division, Cultivator Films. She embraced the chance to showcase the Australian outback in a different light, moving away from the horror genre often associated with the landscape. Woods believes that spending time outside Australia made her appreciate her homeland even more, and she hopes to see more international collaborations that celebrate Australian stories.
The Australian film industry is experiencing a financial boost, with spending on Australian movies increasing by 76% to $379 million in 2024-25, according to Screen Australia's annual drama report. Woods advocates for more international co-productions and distributors to invest in Australian TV shows, citing the global success of series like 'Colin from Accounts' and 'Fisk'.
Samantha Strauss, creator of the AACTA-nominated TV series 'Apple Cider Vinegar', shares Woods's optimism. Despite a challenging landscape, Strauss believes in the resilience and adaptability of Australian filmmakers. However, while spending on Australian movies and TV shows increased in 2024-25, the number of Australian titles decreased. This trend may be countered by the recently announced quotas for streaming services, which aim to boost local content production.
Strauss emphasizes the importance of platforms investing in Australian content, as evidenced by the success of 'Dance Academy', her first TV series, which she co-created with Joanna Werner. Despite not winning an AACTA, Strauss and Werner confronted a judge who dismissed their show as "just a show about girls and leotards and periods." This experience fueled Strauss's determination, and she is now a strong contender for an AACTA with 'Apple Cider Vinegar'.
Strauss's journey highlights the evolution of Australian TV, with shorter seasons becoming the norm. 'Apple Cider Vinegar' consists of only six episodes, compared to the 26-episode seasons of 'Dance Academy'. This shift in format reflects the changing preferences of audiences and the industry.
Danny Philippou, co-director of 'Bring Her Back', advocates for more support for emerging filmmakers. He recalls his own journey, from being told by a teacher that being a film director wasn't a real job to feeling the magic of being on set for the first time. Philippou and his brother, Michael, faced challenges in getting their first movie, 'Talk to Me', made, despite their success as RackaRacka on YouTube. It was producers like Samantha Jennings from Causeway Films who believed in them and helped them overcome imposter syndrome.
The Philippou brothers are committed to Australian filmmaking, valuing its authenticity and the opportunity to tell uniquely Australian stories to the world. Their success with 'Talk to Me' and 'Bring Her Back' showcases the potential of emerging filmmakers when given the right support. And with the AACTA Awards just around the corner, the industry is buzzing with anticipation. Will Woods, Strauss, or the Philippou brothers take home the top honors? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the Australian screen industry is alive and kicking, with a bright future ahead.
