SIX BEST (AND WORST) MOMENTS FROM THE AACTA AWARDS

Sam and Lara on the AACTAs red carpet. Credit: Getty Images

1. Sam Worthington and Lara Bingle have awkward red carpet encounters

Sam and Lara's red carpet debut was always going to draw attention, especially given all the wedding rumours swirling of late.

When on the red carpet, any and all questions about their personal life were strictly out of bounds, with Sam repeatedly shutting down questions about their marital status and attempting to redirect attention to his upcoming miniseries about war correspondents in Gallipolli.

2. Sam Worthington falls off stage

Apparently it was not to be Sam's night, as the 'Avatar' actor drew more attention to himself when he accidentally fell off stage (above).

Sam moved to the back of the stage after presenting the first award of the evening to Lachy Hulme, only to fall backwards down a small flight of stairs. Ever to comedian and stunt man, a blushing Sam quickly jumped back up on stage, before telling the audience, "That's what you call an action star right there."

Delta and Geoffrey. Credit:Getty Images
PICS: Must see moments from the AACTAs red carpet

3. Geoffrey Rush photo bombs Delta Goodrem

It seems that beloved Aussie actor Geoffrey Rush was in a playful mood last night, hamming it up for the cameras on the red carpet. He went one better than flying solo in his antics though, seizing the opportunity to crash the gorgeous Delta Goodrem's moment in the spotlight. He is the president of the AACTAs after all, so we're guessing what the president says goes.

Cate Blanchett. Credit: Getty Images

4. Our Cate stuns in Givenchy

Never has a super plunging neck line looked so classy, as Cate Blanchett hit the red carpet in a stunning beaded aubergine and gold Givenchy gown (above), with nary a wardrobe malfunction in sight. We can only imagine Cate probably has shares in Hollywood tape!

Jackie Weaver backstage after accepting the Ray Longford Award. Credit: Getty Images

5. Jackie Weaver receives the Ray Longford Award for lifetime achievement

Ms. Weaver has spent 50 years refining her craft in the Australian film, television and theatre industry, making a late-in-life break into Hollywood.

'Silver Linings Playbook' co-star Bradley Cooper was beamed-in from LA to introduce Jackie, while Aussie acting veterans Jack Thompson and John Waters, two of her long-time co-stars, gave heart-felt introductions from the stage.

The best moment though was possibly Jackie heading to the stage, dabbing her eyes and wiping away the evidence of her own emotion, laughing through her acceptance speech.

"Young actors often ask my advice on how to get along, when starting out," Jackie laughed, continuing, "I tell them; in Sydney, always take the Eastern Distributor... Seriously though for you kids starting out know your lines, hit your marks, and be punctual and you're halfway there."

6. The Baz Luhrmann tribute

While 'The Great Gatbsy' scored 13 AACTA wins (and the recognition it failed to receive elsewhere in the world), there was also an interesting tribute to Baz Luhrmann's biggest films.

It started with 'Strictly Ballroom,' and dancing couples on stage and throughout the audience before moving on to 'Romeo and Juliet' and Delta serenading the audience with the theme song 'Kissing You.' Next up was 'Moulin Rouge' (and some awkward almost up-skirt camera angles) before a push into 'Australia' (with half-hearted drummers lining the aisles) and finally a 'Gatsby' turn with Iota and Nat Bassingthwaite and ton of dancers.

While the spirit of the celebration was there (and rightly so -- Baz's contribution to Australian cinema is certainly something to celebrate), there was something slightly off about the tribute as a whole.

Perhaps because it felt like a giant promo for Baz's upcoming stage musical, 'Strictly Ballroom.' Or maybe because there are plenty of other noteworthy Australian cinematic contributors that perhaps also should have had a look in.