49th Australian Film Institute Award nominees and winners

The nominees for the 49th Australian Film Institute Awards were announced on 24 October 2007, by Australian actors, Deborra-Lee Furness, Sibylla Budd, Marny Kennedy, and Australian Film Institute President James Hewison in Sydney. The winners were announced on 4 December to 5 December 2008, at a two ceremonies at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne.

Films that won multiple Australian Film Institute Awards include: The Home Song Stories (7) and Romulus, My Father (4), which were the two films on the night who performed well.

Film awards

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

Best Film

• Romulus, My Father
  • Noise
  • Lucky Miles
  • The Home Song Stories

Best Direction

• Tony Ayres - The Home Song Stories
  • Cherie Nowlan - Clubland
  • Matthew Saville - Noise
  • Richard Roxburgh - Romulus, My Father

Best Actor in a Leading Role

• Eric Bana - Romulus, My Father
  • Brendan Cowell - Noise
  • Qi Yuwu - The Home Song Stories
  • Kodi Smit-McPhee - Romulus, My Father

Best Actress in a Leading Role

• Joan Chen - The Home Song Stories
  • Kerry Armstrong - Razzle Dazzle: A Journey Into Dance
  • Brenda Blethyn - Clubland
  • Franka Potente - Romulus, My Father