The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts has newly launched its first ever AACTA International Awards, holding them in Hollywood no doubt because all of the nominees are more likely to be here this time of year, and attend. However, they will be shown at the Inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards at the Sydney Opera House on January 31, broadcast throughout Australia at 9:30 AEST that evening.

The Artist, no surprise, took Best Picture, in a category with 7 other films, which included Moneyball, The Descendants, The Ides of March, Margin Call, Midnight in Paris, Melancholia and We Need to Talk About Kevin.

PHOTOS: Academy Awards 2012: The Nominees

Best Director went to The Artist's Michel Hazanavicius, in a category that included Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Terrence Malick. The AACTA International Award for Best Actor was given to Jean DuJardin, in what appears to be his first win over George Clooney. (Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt were also nominated).