Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman named President, Vice President of AACTA.

Russell Crowe has been named as the President of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), with Nicole Kidman as Vice President.

Both have amassed recognition at home and abroad over the last 30 years, and have received Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for their work internationally, while also continuing to work on Australian productions -Kidman is currently starring and producing in Nine Perfect Strangers.

AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said, “The support of Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman has been integral to AACTA’s growth over the last decade, helping us to achieve record industry and audience growth and engagement in Australia and internationally.

“From charting brave new territory by hosting the inaugural AACTA International Awards in L.A. in 2012, to hosting AACTA Awards events in Sydney and China – while also leading the AACTA Asia International Awards as Jury President – Russell has been with us each step of the way.

“Similarly, Nicole has presented at and supported many of our events in Sydney and L.A. over the last 10 years, increasing our profile and helping to garner new audiences for Australian content.

“Naturally tenacious and talented, Russell and Nicole have both received recognition from the world’s top screen bodies, with their first AFI Awards helping to launch their international careers – a path which AACTA is fostering for Australia’s next generation of talent, and which will benefit immensely from the support of our new Presidential team.

“As the screen industry continues to evolve, so too does AACTA. With an ambitious vision to further embrace the expanding world of content, storytelling and new platforms, we require a new era of leadership, which we know Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman will bring, opening an exciting new chapter for our industry and for the Australian Academy,” Trewhella said.

Russell Crowe said: “It’s an incredible honour to be asked to serve as AACTA President. I want to refocus our politicians, of all persuasions, on the power and reach of our local screen industry.

“I’ll be working on encouraging the government to give Australian producers the fiscal tools they need to be globally competitive, while simultaneously fostering local talent and magnetising the industry to attract international productions.

“We need to grow our membership in every area of the industry and encourage people who work in film and television and people who love film and television to get involved with their Academy.

“I’m doubly honoured that Nicole is going to stand with me. I think we will make a good team. She’s pretty hard to say no to.”

Nicole Kidman said: “I’ve always been so proud of the Australian screen industry and what it continues to achieve globally. I’m looking forward to playing a role in setting a tone and a platform for future success.”

New South Wales Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres added, “To have two of NSW’s most acclaimed performers, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, lead the Academy into the future, there is no doubt that great things will be achieved in the realm of Australian screen in Sydney, the state and across Australia.

“With Sydney being the celebrated home of the AACTA Awards, the NSW Government is proud to support our creative industries including television and film production through long-standing partnerships and targeted funding programs.

“It’s fantastic to have Nicole working on her upcoming production of Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers right here in NSW, and Russell made his directorial debut for The Water Diviner in this great state also. As industry leaders they demonstrate how Sydney and NSW is the perfect base for creative, and screen, endeavours encouraging others to follow suit.”

Geoffrey Rush stood down as President in 2017.

TV Tonight is a partner of the 2020 AACTA Awards.