Some of the biggest names in Australian screen have used the red carpet of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards to send subtle messages to politicians and the wider industry, but Nicole Kidman had a message for moviegoers.

Key points: Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards are being held in Sydney

Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards are being held in Sydney Nicole Kidman urges audiences to make time for smaller, important films

Nicole Kidman urges audiences to make time for smaller, important films The Australian actor stars in Boy Erased, a nominee for Best Film

The Australian actor took home the AACTA for her supporting role in Boy Erased, moments after urging audiences to look past the blockbusters.

Boy Erased, which was nominated for best film, is based on the true story of a teenager put through conversion therapy in the United States not that many years ago.

It was directed by Joel Edgerton, who appears beside Kidman and Russell Crowe in the film.

"These films are hard right now. They're hard to get audiences for. They're hard to get made," Kidman said.

"You know, I'm also in Aquaman. That is not hard to get made. It's a whole different thing and it's nice to be fun.

"But this is where you go 'please go and see these movies' because otherwise we won't have the chance to make them anymore."

The film was made in the US, but is nominated in the Australian AACTA awards because its director, Edgerton, is a local.

This year was the first time the Australian awards recognised an American film with substantial local input.

"I don't know about bending the rules, I'm just grateful the film is being seen," Kidman said.

Stars use red carpet to talk gender and immigration

AACTA winners: Film Best film: Sweet Country

Best film: Sweet Country Best director: Warwick Thornton, Sweet Country

Best director: Warwick Thornton, Sweet Country Best leading actress: Angourie Rice, Ladies in Black

Best leading actress: Angourie Rice, Ladies in Black Best leading actor: Hamilton Morris, Sweet Country

Best leading actor: Hamilton Morris, Sweet Country Best supporting actress: Nicole Kidman, Boy Erased

Best supporting actress: Nicole Kidman, Boy Erased Best supporting actor: Simon Baker, Breath

Best supporting actor: Simon Baker, Breath Best original screenplay: Sweet Country

Best original screenplay: Sweet Country Best cinematography: Sweet Country Television Best drama series: Mystery Road

Best drama series: Mystery Road Best mini series: Riot

Best mini series: Riot Best entertainment program: The Weekly with Charlie Pickering

Best entertainment program: The Weekly with Charlie Pickering Best performance in a television comedy: Hannah Gadsby, Nanette A full list of nominees and winners across all categories is available via the AACTA.

A year after revelations about Harvey Weinstein and in the shadows of allegations of sexual harassment by Australian star Geoffrey Rush, several stars insisted times were changing for women in the industry.

On the red carpet, the sentiment on female participation was one of cautious optimism despite the categories for best director, screenplay, cinematographer, editor, sound and original score featuring only male nominees.

Kidman said women in the industry were "trying to carve paths that should have been carved years ago".

"We're all really uniting as women and as a culture and there are so many supportive men and we're trying to make massive changes for the next generation as well."

Janet King star Marta Dusseldorp said representation was "the only thing anyone is talking about right now".

"I think it's going the right way for my daughters," she said.

Packed to the Rafters star Erik Thomson said change was happening.

"I sense in any writers room, in any situation I've been in in the last year or so, it's always at the forefront of the discussions we have," he said.

Simon Baker wears a blue ribbon as a subtle protest against Australia's treatment of asylum seekers. ( AAP: Dan Himbrechts )

As expected, many stars wore blue ribbons to protest against Australia's treatment of asylum seekers and to send a message to politicians.

"People don't like it when you make noise. But you're supposed to. You're supposed to make noise," Julia Zemiro said.

"Get everyone off Manus. They shouldn't be there."

Australian actor Simon Baker was nominated for his directorial debut for the movie Breath.

He wore a blue ribbon on the red carpet, saying it was about both public awareness and pushing for political change.

"I guess in a lot of ways it's to galvanise the politicians in this country to make a conscience decision as opposed to a political decision," he said.

Indigenous man and Sweet Country director Warwick Thornton also wore a blue ribbon and had a powerful perspective on the debate.

"We are Australians, we are beautiful humans and we look after each other. And we look after other people," he said.

"Literally every family has come here on a boat. You might have been born here, but your family came here once on a boat, maybe an aeroplane, maybe they walked across a land bridge in an ice age.

"We make sure we look after people who need help. How ridiculous is it in 2018 that we're having this conversation?"

The big winner? Thornton's Sweet Country

Warwick Thornton won best director for Sweet Country. ( Supplied: AACTA )

Thornton's tough period western grossed more than $2 million during a year in which Australian films will gross approximately $50 million at the box office.

At the AACTAs, Sweet Country cleaned up.

It won the most coveted award of the night, Best Film

It won the most coveted award of the night, Best Film Thornton won for best director

Thornton won for best director Hamilton Morris won best lead actor

Hamilton Morris won best lead actor Sweet Country won best original screenplay

Sweet Country won best original screenplay Sweet Country also won for best cinematography at Monday's industry ceremony

Sweet Country also won for best cinematography at Monday's industry ceremony The film picked up best editing there too

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Before the ceremony, Thornton said the biggest challenge in making the film was the tough Central Australian environment.

"Forty-five degree heat, scorpions and spiders, but it was the best time ever," he said.

"To be part of the AACTAs is just an absolute beautiful recognition of the film."

Bryan Brown given industry's highest honour

Veteran actor Bryan Brown was honoured with the Screen Industry's highest accolade — the Longford Lyell Award — in a ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday in recognition of his career spanning more than 40 years and 91 roles.

Bryan Brown was awarded the Longford Lyell Award — Australia's highest screen accolade. ( Supplied: AACTA )

Mr Brown made his screen debut with a bit part as a policeman in the 1975 movie Scobie Malone.

He was worked consistently in Australia and the US, and he has roles in two 2018 AACTA-nominated films.

He voiced Peter's father in the part-animated Peter Rabbit, shot on location in Sydney's Centennial Park, and he played a tough constable in Sweet Country.

On the red carpet, he told the ABC:

"I still remember my first day and my first movie really," he said.

"One foot in front of the other really. I hope there are another few feet."