49th Australian Film Institute Award nominees and winners

The nominees for the 49th Australian Film Institute Awards were announced on October 24, 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 December 4 to December 5, 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 - ""
**Brenda Blethyn - "Clubland"
** Franka Potente - "Romulus, My Father"