Australia’s biggest stars have descended on the 2023 AACTA Awards, as the country’s huge talents are recognised with a string of prestigious awards.
Renee Bargh and Angela Bishop were among the first stars to storm the ceremony, hosted on the Gold Coast for the first time after they wrestled the event away from Sydney in a three-year deal.
Entertainment reporter Renee, 39, cut a glamorous figure in a one-sleeved pink gown featuring a wrap neck tie as she arrived at HOTA (Home of the Arts) for the ‘Oscars of Australia’.
She accessorised her statement ensemble with a pair of chunky gold earrings as she posed for the cameras, showing off her dewy make-up palette.
Angela, 56, put on a very leggy display in a bold leopard print dress with a daring side split, which she styled with huge platform metallic gold heels.
Renee Bargh cut a glamorous figure in a one-sleeved pink gown featuring a wrap neck tie as she stormed the 2023 AACTA Awards red carpet alongside Angela Bishop
![The Channel [V] Australia host opted for a high-glamour make-up palette and styled her golden locks in loose waves](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/10/03/81090017-13067989-The_Channel_V_Australia_host_opted_for_a_high_glamour_make_up_pa-m-35_1707535893411.jpg "Star-Studded AACTA Awards 2024: Renee Bargh Stuns in Elegant Pink Gown, Angela Bishop Rocks Leopard-Print Frock with High Leg Split on Gold Coast Red Carpet 6")
The Channel [V] Australia host opted for a high-glamour make-up palette and styled her golden locks in loose waves
The former Studio 10 entertainment presenter added some extra glitz to her look with a gold necklace and added to her features with a bronzed make-up palette.
American singer Harry Connick Jr, who is hosting the awards alongside Rebel Wilson, cut a dapper figure in a black suit as he joined the stars at the event.
It is his first job hosting job since his father, New Orleans district attorney Harry Connick Sr, died ‘peacefully’ at his New Orleans home on January 25.
Harry was sweetly joined on the red carpet by his daughters Georgia, 27, Sarah Kate, 26, and Charlotte, 21, who he shares with his wife Jill Goodacre.
His three beloved daughters spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony about how they are enjoying living Down Under.
Harry, his wife Jill and their daughters all relocated to Australia for his stint as a judge on Australia Idol a year ago, and are all loving living in the country.
When asked how they were enjoying Australia, Sarah Kate gushed: ‘We’re, we’re so happy to be here and, it’s an amazing country.’
She accessorised her statement ensemble with a pair of chunky gold earrings as she posed for the cameras
The Studio 10 entertainment presenter added some extra glitz to her look with a gold necklace and added to her features with a bronzed make-up palette
Charlotte – who is a drama student in Australia – added: ‘We’re all kind of doing our own thing right now. We all started off in Sydney and then Kate lived in Byron Bay for a little bit.
‘I’m living in Melbourne and she has to follow me down there, of course. But there’s so much to see.’
Though they gushed over the many positives, Sarah Kate added: ‘The spiders! I mean, they are really worse than I even thought they would be.
‘I’m so happy to be living here now. But, I mean, I’m terrified every time I see one and it’s not getting any better?’
A whole array of awards were already handed out on Thursday ahead of the main red carpet ceremony, with the biggest winners set to be announced at Saturday’s event.
Charlie Pickering is up for Best Comedy Performer for The Weekly, and spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia ahead of the ceremony, admitting he wasn’t ‘nervous’ about the awards.
Harry Connick Jr, who is hosting this year’s awards alongside Rebel Wilson, cut a dapper figure in a black suit as he arrived for the ceremony
It is Harry’s first big hosting gig since his father, Harry Connick Sr, died ‘peacefully’ at his New Orleans home on January 25
Harry was joined on the red carpet by his daughters Georgia, 27, Sarah Kate, 26, and Charlotte, 21, who he shares with his wife Jill Goodacre (also pictured: Candice Dixon and guest)
He said: ‘I’m feeling great. I am not nervous. It’s not cos I think I’ll win. It’s because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to. So, I’m just gonna sit back, relax and enjoy the show tonight.’
Charlie is up against the likes of Tom Gleeson, Jim Jefferies, and The Great Australian Bake Off’s Natalie Tran and Cal Wilson in the category.
Of The Weekly, he went on: ‘I can’t believe that the show’s been going for 10 years and, but it’s a tribute, the whole team that make the show, the best group of people I’ve ever worked with.
‘They are like the best football team in the world. There’s no egos, everyone does their job. Except for me, obviously, my ego takes centre stage, obviously.’
Margot Robbie – who has recently seen huge success starring in Barbie and producing Saltburn – is set to receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award.
Internationally acclaimed horror movie Talk to Me and hit Amazon series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart has already dominated the awards.
Danny and Michael Philippou’s Talk to Me cleaned up in the film category on Thursday, with their smash hit indie film taking out Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, and Best Hair and Makeup.
Meanwhile, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart also won a slew of awards for the television category.
The Amazon series, based on the hit novel of the same name and starring movie star legend Sigourney Weaver, picked up Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Sound.
Charlie Pickering is up for Best Comedy Performer for The Weekly, and spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia ahead of the ceremony, admitting he wasn’t ‘nervous’ about the awards
He modestly said: ‘I’m feeling great. I am not nervous. It’s not cos I think I’ll win. It’s because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to. So, I’m just gonna sit back, relax and enjoy the show tonight’
For the event, Charlie cut a dapper figure in a black suit and appeared in jovial spirits as he smiled for the cameras
Liz Cantor cut an elegant figure in a black strapped gown with keyhole cut-outs as she joined the arrivals
Candice Dixon, who was interviewing the stars on the red carpet, stunned in a strapless white ruched gown for the occasion
Margot Robbie – who has recently seen huge success starring in Barbie and producing Saltburn – is set to receive the AACTA Trailblazer Award at Saturday’s ceremony
Another big winner was The New Boy. Directed by Warwick Thornton and starring Cate Blanchett, the film picked up Best Cinematography and Best Production Design in film.
Amazon’s black comedy crime series Deadloch also collected some gongs, with Best Casting, Best Editing, and Best Original Score in the television category.
In total, 15 productions received recognition in 28 categories.
Even more winners will be announced at Saturday’s main event, with prestigious gongs including Best Drama Series, Best Mini Series, Best Film and the Best Lead Actress/Actor in a Drama yet to be handed out.
Nominees for Best Film include Of An Age, Shayda, Sweet As, Talk to Me, The New Boy, and The Royal Hotel.
Cate Blanchett is also up for Best Leading Actress for The New Boy, where she is nominated with Julia Garner, Sarah Snook, Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Shantae Barnes-Cowan.
Up for Best Leading Actor are Elias Anton, Simon Baker, Thom Green, Phoenix Raei, Aswan Reid and Osamah Sami.
Nominees for the Award for Best Film include Of An Age, Shayda, Sweet As, Talk to Me, The New Boy, The Royal Hotel.
In the television category, ABC’s popular drama The Newsreader led the field with an astounding 15 nominations.
A whole array of awards were already handed out on Thursday ahead of the main red carpet ceremony, and internationally acclaimed horror Talk to Me (pictured) dominated the winners
Colin From Accounts and Deadloch, have both secured ten nominations each, including Best Narrative Comedy Series.
Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer, Helen Thomson, Kate Box, Nina Oyama, Kitty Flanagan, Julia Zemiro, and Celeste Barber have been nominated for the newly introduced award for Best Acting in a Comedy.
The 13th edition of the awards will also see renowned American director and film producer Ron Howard make an appearance.
