At a star studded event at Sydney’s Pavilion restaurant, internationally acclaimed actor David Wenham, Director Jeremy Sims and Packed to the Rafters star Jessica McNamee joined this year’s awards host Eddie Perfect to announce the nominees for the 2009 Inside Film Awards.

Samson & Delilah led the pack with nominations in eight categories, closely followed by Balibo with nominations in seven categories and Mary & Max with nominations in four categories. These nominations came in a year of huge competition with 191,433 ratings being recorded, more than three times the number recorded last year.

It was a great year for the indigenous film community with audiences embracing both indigenous culture and stars. Along with Samson & Delilah’s success, the short film category was also dominated by indigenous talent. The nominees in this category are the Deborah Mailman directed Ralph, Jacob produced by Darren Dale and Aunty Maggie and the Womba Wakgun directed by Leah Purcell.

Back in Sydney to begin a second decade in 2009 the Inside Film Awards celebrate and champion Australian film and creative talent as decided by the general public. This year’s Inside Film Awards are on Wednesday 18th November at Sydney’s Luna Park.

For tickets and to check out all the nominees, you should click here .

Two Flat Whites have had the pleasure in interviewing some wonderful Australian film identities which include Allanah Zitserman, Warwick Thornton, Adam Elliot, Clare Bowen, Dan Castle and Tony Mason. Simply click on the ‘previous interviews’ tab on Two Flat Whites.

Two Flat Whites caught up with Academy Award winner Adam Elliot. Adam has won an AFI award for his Short Animated Film ‘Uncle’. He also won his Academy Award in 2003 for his Animated Short Film, ‘Harvie Krumpet’. Adam’s films have participated in over 500 film festivals and they have won over one hundred awards. You can catch his new film ‘Mary & Max’ which he directed at cinemas from the 9th April 2009.

Where did you grow up & where do you hang your hat?

After 5 years on a prawn farm in outback South Australia we moved to the suburb of Mount Waverley in Melbourne. But now I hang my hat in Windsor.

In your own words, what do you do?

I tell stories……and never let the truth get in the way.

Where did you learn your craft?

My kindergarten teacher, my Art teacher Graham Bennett at Haileybury College, Sarah Watt and Robert Stephenson at the VCA and all the wonderful lecturers at the Brighton Bay Art and Design School.

Who inspires you?

My pugs, Barry & Kevin.

Childhood Memories:

TV Show – The Muppet Show
Hobby – Drawing & making things out of egg cartons & pipe cleaners
Food – Lolly gobble bliss bombs & sweetened condensed milk
Fear – The Werewolf from the film The American Werewolf in London
People – The Two Ronnies & Dame Edna
Defining moment – When my friend Brett Krueger told me there was no such thing as Santa.

Schooling memories, chore or cherished?

Cherished.

Where is the most beautiful place in Australia you have visited?

The Pinewood Independent Cinema in Mt Waverley where I went every Saturday as a child.

From the hours of 9am to 5pm, what do you get up too?

Immersing myself in all things Plasticine.

Who are your favourite film personalities? And is there anyone we should keep a look out for in Australia?

Jan Swankmayer, surrealist stop-motion genius in Czechoslovakia. In Australia, our Mary and Max cinematographer Gerald Thompson, also a brilliant writer.

Where can people see your work?

Check newspapers for details! – In cinemas April 9.

For love or money?

Depends how drunk I am

What future endeavors are in the pipeline?

Finishing drawing my kids book. So far it’s taken me 15 years!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Raising pugs on a farm in Daylesford

If you could invite 3 people to chat over coffee, who would they be & why?

Barry Humphries, Michael Leunig & Marcel Marceau – to ask their thoughts on iphones.

Coffee or Tea?

Earl Grey.