AFI Host

Geoffrey Rush to Host L'Oreal Paris 2006 AFI Awards
The Australian Film Institute is delighted to announce that Geoffrey Rush will host the L’Oréal Paris 2006 AFI Awards on the 6th and 7th December at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

The AFI and Academy Award® winner is thrilled to be hosting Australia’s most prestigious awards ceremony, especially in his home town of Melbourne. Rush said of the event, “Apart from Gladiator, Russell Crowe and I have never gone up for the same role, so I am thrilled to be invited to step into his sandals and host this year’s AFI Awards. I love how erratic and unique and re-inventive our films are. One shouldn’t just hold hands with the Australian film industry – it deserves to be embraced passionately in public, and kissed long and hard on the lips”.

The AFI Awards celebrate Australian film and television achievements both on and behind the screen. Over two nights, the best feature films, documentaries, short fiction, animation and television programs of 2006 will be recognised with an AFI Award, as voted by Australian Film Institute members.

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2006 is already proving to be a year of high quality Australian productions. From hilarious comedies to sophisticated dramas, all 16 feature films eligible for nominations this year are strong contenders for many awards. It has also been an exciting year for television as it celebrates a lively half-century.

The L’Oréal Paris 2006 AFI Industry Awards will take place on Wednesday 6th December, and the L’Oréal Paris 2006 AFI Awards will take place on Thursday 7th December. Host Geoffrey Rush will be joined by a star-studded supporting cast of guest presenters on both evenings at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The L'Oréal Paris 2006 AFI Awards, including highlights of the red carpet and the Industry Awards, will be televised nationally on the Nine Network on 7th December at 9.30pm.