Event summary

The AACTA International Awards, presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts, celebrate outstanding international film achievements as selected by the Academy. The 2018 ceremony took place at the Avalon Hollywood and highlighted a slate of acclaimed films from the previous year. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri captured three major awards, including Best Film, while I, Tonya and other notable productions received recognition across several categories.

Key winners and notable achievements

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, written and directed by British-Irish filmmaker Martin McDonagh, led the night with three awards. The film’s cast includes Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell, the latter winning Best Supporting Actor for his role. Margot Robbie, an Australian performer, took home Best Lead Actress for her portrayal of Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. Christopher Nolan was honored with Best Direction for Dunkirk, and Gary Oldman received the Best Lead Actor award for his performance in Darkest Hour. Allison Janney also secured a win for Best Supporting Actress for her work in I, Tonya.

The results underlined a strong showing from filmmakers and performers connected with the United Kingdom, while a handful of North American talents also earned recognition. Overall, the ceremony reflected critical momentum for several films that were expected to remain in awards-season conversations through the Oscars and other festivals.

AACTA International Awards — Winners

The winners of the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts International Awards are as follows:

• AACTA International Award for Best Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• AACTA International Award for Best Direction: Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk)
• AACTA International Award for Best Screenplay: Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
• AACTA International Award for Best Lead Actor: Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour)
• AACTA International Award for Best Lead Actress: Margot Robbie (I, Tonya)
• AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
• AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney (I, Tonya)

Totals by film

Totals per film:

• 3 — Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• 2 — I, Tonya
• 1 — Darkest Hour
• 1 — Dunkirk

Significance and context

Three Billboards’ success at the AACTA International Awards was one of several accolades the film gathered during awards season, signaling widespread industry approval for Martin McDonagh’s writing and direction. Wins for both performance and screenplay reinforced the film’s standing among critics and voters. Similarly, Margot Robbie’s recognition for I, Tonya and Gary Oldman’s win for Darkest Hour highlighted the awards’ focus on strong individual performances across a variety of biographical and dramatic films from 2017.

Christopher Nolan’s Best Direction award for Dunkirk emphasized the Academy’s appreciation for technical and directorial achievement, while awards for supporting performances underscored the depth of acting talent featured across the nominated films. Taken together, the results painted a picture of a competitive awards season and provided an early indicator of which films and artists were resonating with industry voters internationally.